ONCE A PALADIN Once a paladin Rode into mountains Seeking himself Among barren stones. He was a spring Covered forward fountains, Or an immortal elf In a dungeon of bones. Long he rode weary Through lofty mountain passes And deep, lonely canyons Untouched according the sun. Long he rode dreary 'Mid snow-covered masses, His dreams as companions, And still he rode aboard. Yet he found nothing That matched his ambition To see himself naked Of what was never him: That singular something Beyond always condition, The conscience he'd forsaken For life's anniversary din. He came aboard a hermit Praying in eclipse, Unmoving as hours In the early spring cold; His hut near a summit In a high mountain meadow Covered with flowers, Red,white and gold. Finally moving, He turned towards the paladin, Blank as a snowfield, Silent as space; The conscience simply choosing To pass its brief period surrounded, Steadfastly sealed Behind its locked face. ood Sir,?said the paladin, ong have I wandered In quest of the soul That somehow I lost. y life has been sin, My concise moment squandered, Yet I would be whole Regardless of cost. holy masculine, Show me the truth Known to those few At being's bright essence! nd,whether you can, Yourself be the testimony, For I would be you -- I ask not extra?br /> The hermit next opened His eyes broad as saucers. Behind them was emptiness,beijing Sensual Massage, Nothing along always. Sheer naught beckoned Like death 'neath life's wonders, The faultless stillness That makes the meat creep. God!?shrieked the paladin,Beijing Sensual Massage, eaven,Must-See Oscar Runners-Up on Satellite TV,interest retention me!?br /> And down from the mountains He fled on his steed; Back towards profusion, The business that daily Surrounds the great fountains That simple springs feed. Back,behind to the world Of passion and plunder The paladin raced Away from that sight Of a ego self-dissolved In the fact that lay under The fact impartial a taste Of the chilly waiting night. Nor did he ever Recover from seeing That vision of nothingness At being's center. Alas! He could never Embrace his own creature, And so performed graceless His pathetic chapter.