gifts of war

horrendous

though embedded

through immemorial life..

unexpected

this singular testimony..

one's discovery

of essential being

there in plummeting depths

of darkest time..

the discovery

not confided..

of terrible truth

in secrecy guarded

with rarity spoken..

but when

always with tears..

the discovery

a flame within

a newfound dimension

found with horror..

then awe overshelming

joined with surprise

of inexpressible joy..

this more real

than earlier notions

of what's out there

and in here..

the discovery
a radiant thread
the connector
of life with death..
inestimable worth
transformed awareness
new birth
still..too frightening
too wondrous
to mention..
gifts of war...

(this is for my
dear friend, Paul,
and his gift work
to elevate the
consciousness
of us all...)