MY SOUL’S DESIRE AND DESTINY
Reading edition
I’ve travelled down through centuries. Have never known one moment’s rest. Have passed through every phase of life. Is this, O Father, Thy behest? I’ve battled with conditions that Oftimes seemed much too hard to bear, Would then give up, and seem to sink Into the maelstrom of Despair. Again would take Life’s burdens up Without a knowledge of my past. Experience was of little use In seething whirlpool it seemed cast. The same temptations come to us; As fiends, they ever us pursue. The consequences are the same. We’ve brought down retribution too. I still desire to live, to do— I am not ready yet to change My form, my thoughts, my puny life; E’en though I gain a wider range. Absorbed though I may be in Love, And e’en a part of Deity, I still am human in desire, And human still, I wish to be. Soul’s Destiny I now take up.— Where shall I go? What shall I be? Shall I aye travel on, and on? Or be a part of Deity. Will memories of the past be mine? And will a panoramic view Before mine eyes be ever cast? If so, that past I can but rue. Absorbed in God, I lose myself. I am no part of my own life. Though one with God, and part of Him, My soul will still keep up its strife To be itself, apart, though with The Maker, Ruler of my soul. The Soul’s Desire is not yet dead, E’en though bright heaven is its goal. Though I may carry “Karma” on, Improve upon it ever, aye; Could I not do the same, and yet Not on this weary earth e’er stay?