The first thing we have to do
is to notice
that we've loaded down this camelwith so much baggage
we'll never get through the desert alive.
Something has to go.
Then we can begin to dump
the thousand things
we've brought along
until even the camel has to go
and we're walking barefoot
on the desert sand.
There's no telling what will happen then.
But I've heard that someone,
walking in this way,
has seen a burning bush.
"Lightening the Load" by Francis Dorff, O. Praem., from Last Night I Died: Poems from Retirement. © Francis Dorff, O. Praem., 1999.Photograph: Detail from "Moses and the Burning Bush," a painting by Arnold Friberg, 1957 (some effects added).
This is beautiful and I see the analogy. My life has been about lightening the load for a couple of years now. Every time I think I've pared down to nothing, something else shows up. Thank you for a great poem.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, love the way you use metaphors in your words... makes me think and feel, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLeaving my Retirement job today. God Bless the Santa Cruz Costco group and Club Demonstration Service for Six years of serving the community.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're "lightening the load." Bless you for your service. Deep peace.
DeleteGod Bless you. I knew and was a student of your brother, Fr Joe. A great and caring family.
ReplyDelete