Transcendence
By Larry Knight
How can we
define the invincibility of humanity?
Is it in the
deeds of the brave, their actions
Marked by the
unselfish concern of heroism?
Is it in the
indefinite nature of our fragile selves,
How we hide
sorrow behind facades of strength?
Is it in our
tears, a deluge never quite washing away pain?
How can we show
resilience in baleful hours,
In days, months,
and years marked by hurt?
We embrace life,
its promise, the existence of joy,
Moments defined
by degrees of elation
Then juxtaposed
to the heartache of a bitter truth:
We are mortal.
Our flesh and
bone and blood
Are not immune
to the certainty of temporality.
Our breath
pushed from lungs into space,
Never to be
reclaimed, is without substance...
But not our
love. Not the altruism we possess,
our unyielding
commitment to life,
the light in the
eyes of our children.
We are not
promised immortality,
Only the
assurance of remembrance accompanying
Our
selflessness, our faith, our fealty to love.
Despite the
limits of race, or gender, or wealth,
Or religion, our
acts define us;
they encircle
earth inspiring lives unfamiliar,
illuminating
souls shrouded by misfortune's pall,
making us as vast
as forever.
Copyright 2011 | Larry
J. Knight, Jr.
