my envy

i envy the log

that disintegrates into the flame

into death

and into ash

reintegrating into her beginning

and final peace

i envy the raindrop

that drowns deeply into the ocean

into death

and into vapor

reintegrating into her beginning

and a new creation

henry victor     01.08.2002

pilgrim in pilgrimage

this morning i pledged

in the presence of Canadian geese

i, like their kind, would be at ease

to fly back and forth

to remain a pilgrim in pilgrimage

without securing my location

and i would enjoy the moment

always beating the winter

cold and dark and let it never

dictate, or control my soul

expecting, always, great moments

and attempt to do greater doings

henry victor      26.04.2007

present and future

i was schooled to think it is my inalienable right

to plan my life, both private and professional
in advance; but now i learn a tune very different:
this planning is a privilege of only the privileged

sequence of events yesterday

forced me to forsake today
my dreaming and working
to the end of tomorrow

today i’m left with that narrow way

a road with road less ahead found among
living every day as it is my last
walking in faith with a sense of duty

plodding as though a great future

still lay before me
now i think and act not for my sake
but for the new generation

my daughter’s, taking each day as

it comes without fear or any anxiety
that is the spirit in which i now subsist
persuaded to live in my daily practice

but those who hold the key

do not make it easy for me
to stay brave and move forward
yet i do since i’m already schooled

© henry victor     03.07.2003