once
i was a little child
full of optimistic wonder

then
i fell into an ocean
and its current swept me under

down
i sank, as it engulfed me
the sun-streaked surface, a shadow became

then
my heart slowed down its beating
and in the dark, I felt a Name

once
the feeling overcame me
i knew i must discern its source

     i called the Name with final breath
     and yielded myself to its force

Death
swirled up and all around me
and tight in her arms, i was held

down
i sank, as she engulfed me
once-flickering hope, in an instant, quelled

          and I died.
          and I died.

FLASH
with sudden blinding brightness
a force grabbed me from death’s shroudings

up
i rose, in swift ascension
and the speed was overwhelming

then
my soul recalled the feeling
and i felt the Name once more

when
at last, i stopped ascending
the Name is all that I longed for

so
i followed with the masses
i chased the paths of those ahead

soon
the masses ceased to wander;
i followed where their gazes led

          then
          i was a little child
          full of optimistic wonder

          and
          i finally knelt before
          the Name of Love my heart was after