Redux

Rushing along the path one day,

Blind to what was along the way,

When suddenly there appears in sight,

Wondrous beauty - Oh soul's delight!

'Twas a rose beside the path that stood,

Majestically at the edge of the wood,

The likes of which had not been seen,

Whose beauty shining forth didst gleam.

Pausing to stare in disbelief,

Gently caressing a tender leaf,

All sense of urgency disappears,

In the face of beauty that evokes tears.

Enraptured by such beauty rare,

The thought that forms - should never dare,

Exquisite creation - so divine,

I must have it - it must be mine!

And so the object of heart's desire,

Kindles within a burning fire,

That forges the soul's intrinsic need,

Into a selfish form of greed.

Not content to simply caress,

The ego is driven to possess,

But alas the object of heart's desire,

Is destroyed by greed's consuming fire.

But love cannot be captured or held,

It only thrives when hearts do meld,

It must be given as a gift,

If ever the heart - love will lift.

Try to capture the wind in your hand,

It runs through fingers like grains of sand,

Love is the same - truth be told,

It must be free of the need to hold.