596. The Temple

I’ve begun to love the stillness,

And the silence of containment,

In the temple I have built,

Adorned in golden raiment.

Where, ceaselessly, I pray for peace,

As gleaming rays consolidate,

The walls of primitive hope,

Against those who infiltrate.

For countless forces are at work,

Seeking chaos and subversion.

Scorning the Light of union,

For darkness and perversion.

While I do bear broad concernment,

Nonetheless, I pray hour by hour.

Vigilant, though reassured,

That discernment wields power.

K. Aldaya, 12/1/22

Picture: By Hassan Ouajbir on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/NfONQWO3qzU

70. The Star

O’ Bright star up on high,

Tell me everything.

So to know if God is nigh,

For to prove love’s not a lie.

O’ Sagacious star of night,

Tell me everything.

Through all time your shining light,

Hath seen the peace and seen the fight.

O’ Radiant beaming star,

Tell me everything.

Show me though afar,

That heavens’ gleaming light you are.

O’ Glorious star in the black,

Tell me everything,

All the wisdom that I lack.

Help me find some steady track.

O’ Great sparkling starlet,

Tell me everything.

Tell me how I can forget ’bout all,

But when we first met.

O’ Shimmering star in the sky,

Tell me everything,

For the night is ever nigh,

And I wonder why, oh why?

K. Aldaya, 8/15/04

Picture: “Night Sky Practice 1” by Sniggle-Wiggle on Deviant Art; http://sniggle-wiggle.deviantart.com/art/Night-Sky-practice-1-360693899