OF WATER-LILIES AND PEARLS

Oh, to be a water-lily
and live a lifetime
floating gently
upon some scenic pond.

From wilted petals, shriveled leaves
spring blossoms new -
rejuvenation,
forever, and beyond.

Eternally! For what is time
but fleeting moments
strung together
in a never-ending string of pearls?

A bubbly brook,
it flows around a mountain -
skips and runs,
dances, gleams and swiftly whirls.

We live each pearl, each gleam
knowing not
the colour, texture
of the hour waiting patiently.

'Tis better so - for if we knew,
would we, could we
hope, and dream
and love so all-consumingly?

Or would we droop, and fade,
and lose the joy
that leads us,
guides us through each pain?

Oh, to be a water-lily
and never ache,
never dream,
but bloom, and wilt, and bloom again.