Into the Light

Into the Light

For Paul Weber

Arriving on your doorstep, I was a novice on the path of heart

You asked me if I was sincere

Affronted by your question, I answered “Of course I’m sincere”

Little did I realize at the time

That I would spend a life-time together with you confronting my arrogance

And witnessing the example of your true sincerity’s

Inspirational light

You took me by the hand

And guided me so carefully at each step

Of manners, service and love

Be guided now into the

Loving light

In the tavern of drunkards you were the sober tavern keeper

Teaching not by rank, personality or lecturing

But by selfless example, revealing the stages of the path

Merge now into the

Pure light

As our guide you counseled us

Through hardship, illness and death

The pull of love and inner struggle

Be received now into the

Guiding light

You generosity knew no bounds

You thought nothing of paying for a friend’s wife’s hospital bill

Or traveling hundreds of miles to heal a sick stranger

Be embraced now by the

Generous light

Your keen legalistic mind could penetrate

Into the core of any argument or question

Or skillfully edit the most challenging poetic translation

Awaken now into the

All-knowing light

For four decades you maintained the tavern

As a welcome home for all wanderers

So they could be refreshed by a drink of wine

Wander now into the

Sustaining light

Disciplined and Stoic, you wielded a tough love

To break us free from our vanity

Yet you could still be moved to tears by a poem

Be welcomed now into the

Merciful light

You struggled with long illness, bone marrow transplants and feeding tubes

Yet never complained about your condition,

But instead, were always concerned how we were doing

Be healed now by the

Compassionate light

You told me that the animal self

Fights instinctively for survival

Even when the spirit longs to be free

Be freed now by the

Life-giving light

I am but a homeless wanderer in a field of stars

Bereft of your cheerful smile and gentle touch

Yet friend, my heart is ablaze

Reflecting your

Radiant light

Even before your last breath

You had already died to your self

Reborn into the attributes of the Friend’s multifaceted light

Take hands now with the Bestower of Light

Return down the path of love

Into your Beloved’s Majestic light

Rob Sternau, 28 February 2016