I climbed a mountain to the top
to see a guru and ask what's up

to know of life and it's decree
give me purpose and some guarantee

the guru looked to me and spoke
and said this wise thought to provoke

I'll send you on a vision quest
to find happiness and be blessed

return across the valley and climb again
tell me what you've come to attain

so I went across the plain to the sea
scanned the horizon for sails of three

spied a ship and signed on for a year
I sailed the sea through calm and fear

like Argonaut in search of the fleece
I followed adventure instead of peace

finally jumped the ship to stranger land
down under I went on a walkabout grand

in Dreamtime on a desert so dry
with Aboriginal kindness I did sit by

a blazing fire, sparked shooting stars
we sat and spoke of kings and czars

and weighty matters of deep meaning
of times past, present and intervening

I bade goodbye the very next day
got up and continued on my way

flew to the edge of a dark continent
found a medicine man for accompaniment

we went together and healed some sick
with herbs and chants, a little shtick

in the forest we found a maiden pure
I was taken with a malady he could not cure

she was dark and alluring, fair of face
I felt rooted to this forest space

we lived for time in blissful days
'til our love cooled and we parted ways

I hiked on north to the lapping waves
and crossed a sea, my heart to save

to Tuscan skies and colorful hills
I took up painting and honed my skills

I came to some success, wealth and renown
with some coins in pocket I then left town

and walked with pack and a dog along
a guitar I procured and sang my song

to whoever would listen and drop in my cap
an offering of thanks with hands to clap

the people I met as I went on my way
touched my heart in ways hard to convey

I thought about the times gone by
return to the guru, I resolved to try

another water transit I did carry out
to get his answer of what life's about

I crossed the valley spoken of in past
and climbed the guru's mountain at last

he looked older now but wryly smiled
tell me what you've learned my wonder child

I retold all my worldly adventures traveled
the beauties seen and mysteries unraveled

then asked the guru what it all meant
and how I could live my life content

he replied that my time was wisely spent
by not worrying and staying in the present

not to look for the ends but look within
it's not the destination but the trail we've been

© agoodguy2have 2010-04-11