below my feet

Oftimes I chance to pause and think
Of a friend I knew not long ago
And as I sit to fertilize
A patch of ground below my feet
I wonder where he passed himself

Did he pass along that ancient path
Along the nile and further still
Into the night of ancient past

Or did he pass through modern light
Never talking with the ancient snake
Walking halls of marbled glass
Never earth, pure earth, to fertilize

And now my life begins to pass
At soon, some chance, my body be
A lump for worms will decay to earth
A log of soil for flowers to grow

Gone my anger, joy and love

God grant that I may perspective have
Where thoughts of ire and feelings black
Pass my way that I may pause
To see the way I come and go
And thoughts of understanding be

Sometimes I chance to pause and think
Of a friend I knew so long ago
As I sit to fertilize
A patch of ground below my feet