Generations pass away,
And dust seals silence to dusty lips.

Seasons of life burst forth anew as
Rainbows dazzle fresh young souls.
They taste the sunrise, savor the wind, and
Dance carefree as children do:
Not understanding, but fiercely glad
When sunlight beats upon their skin.

Each generation, every soul,
Must find a place in this short life,
Or at least, at last, find a place to fall
Alone,
    Surprised,
          Into it backward.

Here in the enfilading light,
The infinite fields of fire and ice,
We have no intellect to grasp
The rhyme or reason of our lives.

Our days run hot, then cold,
Then down into the hungry dust,
And all our planning, all our dreams,
Cannot transcend the sacred scheme.

Do not think you can rise above it,
Or with your power break the coil
To climb above the broken bowl
Into the aerie of endless life:
With your might divine the times
Or stand upon the mountaintop
To arise by your strength from death unto life
Upon clouds of aspiration.

Look and see, that ancient way
Was worn to tears by angelic bands
Who followed subtle, sinuous steps
To cast aside their wisest fears.

The many paths of aspiration,
Transcendental clouds, so bright,
Are bled like comet trails behind
The fallen source of worldly light.

There is fountainhead of life,
A way to the garden of lasting peace.
Only the open door of grace can license
Souls to come and drink
And rest beside the living stream
With joy and sweet, creative ease.

Not by your wisdom, by your power,
By your enlightenments, strivings, or rests.
Only by grace,
By the only Creator, through the
One open door of His life can you pass.

By the might of His arm, by his chosen Messiah,
By Jesus of Nazareth: God's Holy Lamb.

When the Lamb's blood is found
On the door of your heart,
The Angel of Judgement will pass overhead.
Your failings forgotten, your life will be built
Upon hope's unfailing fountainhead.

Life has escaped our vain aspirations.
Unshakably anchored, eternally bright,
Our liberty purchased by blood on the cross...
Our hope sealed when Jesus arose, Prince of Life.

Beyond aspiration His grace is fullfilled
In the city of mercy,
The light on the hill.