My homeless friend and I sat by the fire, his pipe uplit
Between his hazy puffs, he mumbled gruffly, bit by bit
“The question of life’s point is my obsession’s point and quest
Until I get some answers, I ain’t never gonna rest
“Jus’ listen to these, um, conundrums from my old professor
Who taught, you see, Socraticly”, his ferver growing fresher (1)
“Is freedom the ability to chase each whim and pleasure?
Or the power to choose the greatest good; to serve all without measure?
“And what’s the very best adventure life could ever offer?
Pursuing that which fills the heart, or filling up some coffer?
“Is life a rush for fun and stuff; to roll up in a Rolls?
Or a battleground deciding the eternal fate of souls?
“Can happiness be had in changing fashions and attractions?
Or is it got in finding “God” through certain words and actions?
“And speaking of real happiness, please pass the wiener tray
Let’s gather wood, collect our thoughts, and get more ‘squito spray!”
Before I had a chance to comment on one single question
He blurted our some more! Our stomachs whined their indigestion
“Are suffering, pain, and interrupting neighbors to be scorned?
Or testing grounds for proving love; for vices to reform?
“Did ancestors pass down to us real wisdom and good morals?
Or stifling social norms to toss for always causing quarrels?
“What’s wrong with this old world? Is it some creed, or foolish ruler?
Or lust and greed upstirred by him whom Jesus called the ‘Fooler’? (2)
Is ‘sin’ a sad delusion? Just a term for man’s division?
Or is it breaking laws of love God programmed for our mission?”
Amidst his doubt, a loon cried out; he paused to pluck his beard
Tried not to nod, but he was not yet finished, as I feared
“Is life, to quote Macbeth, a fool’s tale of ‘sound and fury’?
Or will our tales- and heads- be judged by God, Who needs no jury?
“One thing’s fer sure in pond’rin’ hard on all these either/or’s
Both/and’s would be absurd! Agree? Hey, pass the stuff for S’more’s!”
But since I’d entered La-La Land, his words went quite unheeded
He scanned the sky; asked for a sign; with smoldering hope, he pleaded
He startled when a breeze from smoldering coals the flames resumed
And heaven’s stars, with Heaven’s grace
His gaze
And heart
Consumed
********
(1) Socrates, and Jesus, taught students by asking them questions
(2) “Father of Lies” (John 8:44)
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 