THE SELF YOU CANNOT SEE

The self you cannot see is more interesting

Than the self you can, Anita says.

When winter snow glimmers in morning sunlight

You may sense it.

A poet came upon it when he heard

The singing of a lark.

He longed to know the secret of such gladness.

A curious wish, says Anita,

Since he, himself, is what he seeks.

If he could know his own splendor

His eyes would clear, his art would sing.

**********************

O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!

THE MISSING LAST STANZA

O captain, my captain I dreamt of you last night.

I saw you with the holy ones, the angels and

            the light.

And when you turned and spoke to me

            those words of tender care

I banished all my sorrow,

            I surrendered my despair.

Your love alone I witnessed – and life

            was everywhere!

Irwin Goldman is a native New Yorker. He worked as a social psychologist and directed research for the state government. In 1980 he met the great yogi and teacher Baba Muktananda and has since pursued a spiritual path.