I.

Slowly clouds move,
ever patient, ever
waiting, with no
place to be but
where they are.
What a lesson we
should learn.

II.

Waves lap calmly
against the shore implacably
washing away the
rocks from the
sand. And yet, through
all this motion, it
will all remain.
What a lesson we
should learn

III.

And softly, sweetly
does the sun set
it's golden rays
shining like a thousand
jewel bedecked crowns
sinking slowly, imperturbably
below the grim frown
of the horizon. Yet
every sunset we
watch is a sunrise
to someone else
and the sun, steady and constant will
rise again tomorrow.
What a lesson we should learn

IV.

The fire burns,
quietly crackling to
itself, steadily consuming
all it encounters
Tossed by the wind
and brushed by the
breeze, it yet remains wedded to
its task. Burning brightly
against the ocean deep
blue black of the night sky
a beacon in the mist
of darkness.
What a lesson
we should learn

V.

And in the ashes
of the all consuming flame
lives the Phoenix.
Born to die, and
sacrificed to rise, eternally
returning from
every defeat. Her
gloried wings spread
majestically as she
once again awakens
to face the rising
sun in it's ever
shining countenance.
What a lesson
we should learn.

AcB 5.30.98