Clues of Life

Clues of Life

My Friends I bring you Clues of Life
I invite you to enjoy the Banquet of my Soul
My table is set before you by the Furies, the Fairies, the Fates.
The seat of Honor is emblazoned with your name
My cup runneth over.

Many long years have I searched ---
Through hovel and alleyway, field and farm,
Across the frozen tundra,
O’er mountains, through jungle, ‘cross desert to sea,
In crystal moonlight waterfalls and palaces of kings,
Among the sages of the Ages
and deep within the stars,

to gather Ruby, Pearl, and Diamond,
and silks of every hue,
and herbs of healing for revealing the Loveliness of You.

Rivers of my blood, Oceans of my tears,
And the Melody in my heart,
I blend all with a prayer that you’ll come Home to share
In the feast I prepare by the best of my art.

Yet, none but a score dared to enter my door.
Those who did come inside were so swollen with pride
Till they could not abide to sit down by my side;
Rather grabbed at my book, and on taking a look
All exclaimed with a start, “Sir ! Your soup is too tart !
All your seasons are wrong and your spice is too strong
-- and, besides, you have too many peppers !”

and they sprang to the door with a tremulous roar
leaving years of their Silence behind.
Then I searched for so long -- crafted many a song
In fond hope my Beloved to find.
But a warmed-over feast is the gift of a beast. And my tears are too heavy to cry.
So I opened my door to the thief and the whore
Who would gnaw at, my flesh till I die.

Now, some say the Blues is the child of sad news --
Some say she’s the Mother of sin.
I say “Blue is the train gone away in the rain
Bearing your Dreams and your Lover within.”