There is a path no vulture's eye hath seen, (from The Vanity of All Worldly Things)

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

 

here is a Poem which some might enjoy as it has certain resonances with our

Teaching.

Regards, Alan

 

 

 

There is a path no vulture's eye hath seen, (from The Vanity of All Worldly

Things)

 

By Anne Bradstreet

(1612 - 1672)

 

 

 

There is a path no vulture's eye hath seen,

Where lion fierce, nor lion's whelps have been,

Which leads unto that living crystal fount,

Who drinks thereof, the world doth nought account.

The depth and sea have said "'tis not in me,"

With pearl and gold it shall not valued be.

For sapphire, onyx, topaz who would change;

It’s hid from eyes of men, they count it strange.

Death and destruction the fame hath heard,

But where and what it is, from heaven's declared;

It brings to honour which shall ne'er decay,

It stores with wealth which time can't wear away.

It yieldeth pleasures far beyond conceit,

And truly beautifies without deceit.

Nor strength, nor wisdom, nor fresh youth shall fade,

Nor death shall see, but are immortal made.

This pearl of price, this tree of life, this spring,

Who is possessed of shall reign a king.

Nor change of state nor cares shall ever see,

But wear his crown unto eternity.

This satiates the soul, this stays the mind,

And all the rest, but vanity we find.

 

 

-- from Women in Praise of the Sacred: 43 Centuries of Spiritual Poetry

by Women, Edited by

Jane Hirshfield