Quest 

If you have once had the privilege

of caring for another

who is trampled, frail or angry,

even though you are wounded

and battered by life,

or lost, harrowed, wretched;

yet still you generated care,

then you know what it is to live with soul.

Without soul, forest breath seems dead,

birdsong canopies bring no delight

and life bears no fruit.

We are haunted by memories

of what we hoped and now lack.

But

descend into the valleys

and caves of consciousness,

back to the underground river

with its shared waters of truth,

there free to drink slowly

and get ready to do our elder Task.

So that an age after we are dead

children will have forests,

sunrise, and stars,

while elders make their descent

to reclaim the river

for wisdom, beauty and grace.

Di Percy

25/2/2016