Poetry
The Heavenly Gate
To Peter, motionless in front of me,
I said, "Do you have that heavenly key?"
Oh rock of ages, I'm past - and tense -
I want to be free, and my heart relents
Pray open that gate and let me in
For truly, Apostle, I'm transparent of sin.
I've mastered the virtues, all six of them
I've polished my soul, I'm a celestial gem."
Peter, known for his impenetrable mind,
Studied me surely, from front and behind.
And I couldn't refrain from asking anew
"Oh surely, oh surely, this time it's adieu -
I've come with such effort, over such a long way."
He looked at me gravely - I hung my head
For patience, oh patience, that virtue now dead.
There were seven virtues, that one I'd
left out!
Now at sixes and seven's I'm flawed and in doubt.
For energy, faith and wisdom were mine
mindfulness, ethics, meditation divine -
But my heavenly petition was short of one name
And my long dusty journey has made me lame
I fall to my knees to repeat my plea
But Peter places his hands on me:-
"My child" said Peter, "The
time is not right
For time is your lesson, for time not to fight
For hours and days, for years and decades
Be patience repeated, not patience that fades.
Be flowing like water, be breezier than air
Move with the tides and with seasons be fair.
When you are time's master and patience your mate
Return here for I'll gladly then open this gate!"
© Sophie Brown 8th October 2000