As the dragon-heart walks with high head
Brown leaves rustle and the cold wind gasps
Yearning for what they have not -
A steady hand and firm tread
But, how deep is his heart?
He has won over many a friend
With wit like a sparkling stream
That tumbles over every grey slope,
Fearless and inexorable at every bend
But, how deep is the heart?
A preacher he is not, but as doer he carries on,
A warrior stout of heart and true of word
A curious seeker of the secret of life
Yet, a sage when the shadows of ghosts beckon
Tell me, how deep, is his heart?
A beguiling honesty that can crumble stone
Never an ill-word or an unkind act
Captain of his fate, master of his soul
Serene in crowd and tranquil alone
Pray, how deep is the heart?
When the deep rumbling of uncertain thoughts
Can ruffle the smoothest sailing boat,
He is the mast of unwavering strength
He keeps safe the poor quivering lots.
But how deep, really, is his heart?
In the limpid pools of unknown depth
Lie stories untold, secrets drowned
Layers of unspoken joy and sorrow
A tear can draw blood within, it is found.
Indeed, that deep is the heart!
Note: I haven't written poetry in years but I was inspired during one of my recent travels to write this.
