A Spiritual Biographical Sketch

Shawn Smith- July 24, 2006

When I was a young man I felt the call of the Cross
So many years later the Cresent beckoned my soul

Both events happened at a time when I was is in great distress
And my soul was in need of comfort

The lure of many books enthralled me
But much of what I cast my eyes upon was nothing more than empty blab

The libations of the flesh, with all of its seductiveness, left me with feelings of emptiness
Unable to live up to its many tinselly promises

In times past I dwelt in the company of others
Now I spend my days in solitude

The sun is my companion
The moon and stars are my guide

Facts and logic are obstacales to my thinking
Turning me into a mere machine and alientating me from my emotions

The ability to embrace opposite, contradictory thoughts
These are an exposition of my humanity

The stars in the heavens are multitudinous
But who can count the conflicting convictions resident within my own breast?

There were days when I laughed
There were days when I cried

There were days of pleasure
There were days of pain

I would rise up to one challenge after another
Sometimes defeat, sometimes victory

But, my bearded friend asks, " Have you heard it is good to gain the day?
"I also say it is good to fall, battles are lost in the same spirit in which they are won."

Oh, if I knew then what I know now
Oh, if I could tell the youth what awaits them

But, alas, they desire to act upon their lust for life
And I cannot blame them