When you stare into

Your willow pond at night

And, see minnows quivering,

Lilies floating,

And, dragonflies hovering;

When you find nothing missing,

Not even the subtle reflections

Of the stars above;

Then it's time to take a walk.

Begin a pilgrimage

Of undetermined destiny

And, empirical design.

Conclude your journey only

When it guides you

To its rightful end, 

And, not a light year sooner.

By then, you will have

Laughed indelibly,

Cried uncontrollably,

And, loved irrevocably.

By then, you will have

Forged paths through jungles,

Constructed bridges

 Across crevices,

And, lost a precious friend

To eternity.

If you return to 

Your willow pond

And, find it holds 

A new star above,

You'll know it's time

To take another walk.

Begin a second pilgrimage

Of determined destiny

And, unempirical design.

Conclude your journey only

When it reveals a feather

And, a pearl.

By then, you will have grown wings

And, become treasure.

(copyright protected)