And he rose in the morning to start his journey far
He sold his belongings
He packed his meager food
He started off across the plain
the hills
the forest
the lakes
until he reached that desert where the holy mountain stood

He climbed that craggy peak
that unforgiving ladder
but at the top
before he spoke
he heard a voice much louder

Go home
it rang
inside that single soul

I can't
sprang the reply
unbidden to his lips

Your purpose is known
your zeal is noted
now return to your former abode

My life
My life
Yours is my life
I give it freely with love

Go home
it repeats
return to the living
reburden yourself with this world

My life
I say
Please take this life
Let this sacrifice well wished be received

Your wishes are well
but your life is found wanting
you would sully this mountain
by that deed

The silence which followed
was the loudest of all
echoing through the spheres

The numb journey down
and the living which followed
passed like a fever dream

This rejection of self
This unwanted gain
Gave truth
To his innermost fears