K . Astar

THE PRINCE OF HOPEby Menno PaulsWhile on my travels I met a man Who was most different From others that I've seen.On his chest He wore a star-like symbol That had more point Than ones we're prone to draw.A strange shimmering light Seemed to come from his cloak And I asked him If I could wear it.He gave to me and I tried it on But disappointment hit my eyes For the light, so shimmering bright It did not shine for me.I looked back at him Saw him gently smile And saw the light Still shine from him.And in my mind I also saw That the light Did not come with his cloak But from somewhere else deep inside.I asked him Where he was from And why it was That he had come.He answered saying "I am from distant shores So far away that ships of space Which you possess -Will never touch. Yet so close That your heart Can nearly see."And then he said "I am the Prince of Hope, Come to help those find What they have lost.I am a courier from home With a message of hope For all the crusaders Of justice and freedom,Who believe they are surrounded And cut off from the front. I have come to ask Those trying to follow -The many low ideas Of self-proclaimed leaders, To stop, think, and search For the higher ideals That each possess deep within.Let not the prophets of doom Confuse and frighten And totally un-enlighten As you prepare yourself -To weather the passing Of yet another season There are many who believe That the end of this season Is the end of time.Let not those, blinded by fear, Keep you from realizing That after fall and winter A brighter spring will come.Although we met in summer In but a moment He took me to a time and place Where snow was falling -And icy winds nipped at my face And he said, "Follow in my footsteps And I will help you Through the storm.As we walked along I saw a tree With no leaves, Standing naked as if dead.The Prince, as if he had read my mind, Walked over to the seemingly lifeless tree And somehow opened up the tree To it's very core.There at the center He pointed out That its sap, its lifeforce, Was still slowly flowing.Then he swiftly closed the opening And scraped away the snow at its base Revealing a patch of ground. On the ground lay dead leaves -Which once had been part of the tree. He pointed to the leaves They came to life And then changed into people.They seemed totally obsessed With self Not caring what happened To others around them.Then the Prince pointed to the people They turned back to leaves The leaves went back to the ground And the snow covered them once more.I asked the Prince "And what of spring, How does it look then?"And in a flash of time The snow disappeared And the blossoms were Of a sweeter fragrance Than any I had ever smelled before.There were colors in the blossoms That were strange to the eyes. As we flashed through time I noticed that the weather -Was strangely different Not as severe as I'm used to. And the rain would appear at night, Like a heavy dewI was about to ask him What the people were doing in spring When the Prince spoke, saying "You are not viewing the perfect season But rather one moving towards perfection.I cannot show you Of the people Beneath it all But I can tell you this.There is more of a oneness about them, A moving towards unity. A greater understanding Of how each one Relates to the whole.Civilizations come and go But the best of a civilization Survives to form The foundation of the next.Like seeds hibernating Through the cold winter They sprout when the warmth Of spring touches them."I asked my guide "Will I be part Of that tree... In this spring?"And he answered, "No, the time of this season Will be beyond your time.But you have the opportunity Of being part of the sunshine And the rain That give the tree life."The Prince and I Went back to the place Where we first met And as we walked along the beach I asked him of things That lay upon my mind."There are many who seek an easy trip And wish for me to share." The Prince did not answer me with words But quickly took me to an airport To where they all depart.And I saw many people rushing about Picking destinations To who knows where And paying with money They could ill afford.And I saw a few Who patiently stood in line And had their tickets Well in hand.I watched them all Carried High Into the sky And off in all directions.Then the Prince took me To the place of arrivals Of that same terminal. And there I saw planes coming in And from them stepped The ones I'd seen depart.The many who seemed in haste, To look at them you'd think Their trip looked blank, Their hearts were empty, Their minds could not describe Just where they'd been.And to top it all The bill was yet to pay. And if my memory had not failed I'd swear I saw some leave Who did not come back home again.And the ones Who had calmly boarded Were still calm But happiness was added to themThen the Prince said "The truly great and beautiful places Your heart yearns to go Will not vanish while your mind Earns the right to share a seat.