The path narrowed

Trees reached for the earth

Leaves broadened

My sense of brooding thickened

I took a deep breath of moist green air

Continued on the path

The sage had been clear

Path would be unclear

Yet he urged

I pay little heed

And remember the prize that lay ahead

For centuries it awaited a new soul

Willing to trust the ancient whispers

Longing to grasp the fullness of the treasure

The treasure that glistens and glows

The treasure that is life

The treasure that a man’s heart knows

And so

I blinked a long blink

Took another deep breath

And walked on

Several hours felt like several ages

Feet refused to obey my command

Mind refused to care

I sat for a time to rest

Closed my eyes and slept

I remember being startled

Followed by a moment of great fear

Beast before me was quite large

Covered by many shades of gray

And many browns

I saw very little white

Until I looked at his eyes

There was a wisdom that was unspeakable

And a kindness inexplicable

The timeless light of the great wolf

Shone through his knowing eyes

I asked but one question

“Am I dreaming?”

His response is etched in my mind

My hope is that his words will there forever remain

But in the case that they do not

I write his words here

For all who care to read them

Greetings young one

It is good to see you again

I have waited long for your return

I have waited long to impart this knowledge

I have waited long for you

You have learned that we are one

You have lived the lessons of life

You have loved the teachings of love

You have taught the meaning of forever

And rode the timeless winds of creation

Your lessons will continue

Much hunger you have to learn

No longer must you walk alone

Seeking what others discern

The elders are beside you

In wind and mind and rain

The life you once awakened

Is here where you remain

The dream of life surrounds you

Each moment you are alive

Accept the sacred teachings

And wake when they arrive

Dream the dream of life

Dance the dance of dreams

Wake from hell’s deception

Hear the eerie screams

The screamer screams forever

The lover is always loved

Choose your path and walk it

In this the dawning of

Questions asked and answered

Answers sought and found

No reason left for burdens

Untie what has you bound

Leap and live in love

Take the final plunge

Rise above the miseries

Let the universe expunge

Why are you still dreaming?

Why not just awake?

Peace and love pervade

Let longing not forsake

My expression lightened

His joy twinkled

In the white of knowing eyes

I braved a thin smile

As he turned and walked away