THE FEATHERS OF THE SOUL

One night a fool of God wept bitterly
And said :" The world, as far as I can see,
Is like a box, and we are locked inside,
Lost in the darkness of our sin and pride;
When death removes the lid we fly away-
if we have feathers-to eternal day,
But those who have no feathers must stay here,
Tormented in this box by pain and fear."
GIve wings to aspiration; love the mind;
And if at death you'd leave this box behind,
Grow wings and feathers for the soul; if not,
Burn all your hopes, for you will die and rot.'