So Near

A hatchling tortoise scrambled for the sea

His instinct true and drawn by wondrous sound

Yet blindness and confusion intervened

With time so short to life or death he strove

Not so my life, my own eternity

This hollowness, this endless going ‘round

With sweet elation’s song now faint to me

My life is failed not having won your love

So near was I to all-surrounding beauty

Love’s rare power I shall never know

A desert have the sands become to me

I plod, I traipse, my strength can never grow

For sense of meaning, mind’s tranquility

So near it was… so near to not be known