A portrait in words

Breath was his foundation
           he saw the world
through his mind
           and in his heart
and acknowledged
           the wisdom in all things
the lilies in the field
           the trees that shed
their shadow in autumn
           the lizard that crawls
beneath a rock
           and observes
—it is after all
           an observant universe
and a complex
           of simplicities
and simple contrasts
           even of extremes
but love mellows
           all things
and renders time
           irrelevant

How generous
           the earth and the seas
that feed us :
           let us use our breath
to celebrate
           and give thanks
for the mercy
           of love

John Lyons