The Horizon

The Horizon

Breaking into the consciousness,

during the battleground of living,

a dawning idea of existence,

a question forms in the heart’s employment of giving…

What am I here for?

Slowly, quietly,

with a seeming stealth of invisibility,

a realisation of inevitability,

my years are limited, my journey brief

the hours and years stolen by time, that relentless thief.

Looking forlornly, longingly,

to a watercolour scene of an horizon,

the destination in the distance,

inviting, enticing, beckoning, cajoling.

This horizon, beyond what my eye can see

interests me, occupies me, fascinates, and motivates me.

I float in a sea of the Psalmists observations,

vexed by tragedy beyond my influencing,

baffled by evil and silence in the face of annihilation,

yet I am grateful, humble, joyful,

one who desires to be loved,

to love in return, to gaze upon God’s divine face, I do so yearn.

I am held securely in the palm of creating hands,

gently allowed freedom of expression,

encouraged along a path of vocation, to a fulfilment.

The vast horizon contains journeys end,

though broken often along the way,

I am fortunate to watch the ailing heart

allowing invited grace to heal, to mend,

at times of peace filled, precious moments

I see with clarity, I know life possesses meaning,

under the vast array of the heavens,

this tiny speak of humanity,

is still captivated by the prospect of eternity,

marvelling at the ingenuity of creativity,

the sheer delightful creating, healing,

freeing spirit, residing in grace

in encounter, in the sacraments of adventure,

life is the story being told,

the ink tracing the words,

charting this amazingly blest venture.

The horizon is my chosen view,

my joy is in silently admiring its sacred veneer,

while sailing serenely in the boat of saints and rogues,

who together are gathered in prayer and praise of the Almighty,

the Church, it’s living stones of flesh,

gentle souls, supporting, caring,

prayerfully bringing life’s ultimate achievement ever nearer,

that of seeing heaven’s shores coming into vision,

creating within, that eternal longing for returning home ever dearer!

The horizon is getting closer now,

my aging body assumes a welcoming posture

frail hands join in prayer, nearly there, my aching head is bowed low.

Fr Patrick Brennan 2022 ©