The Love Within

The past is now passed, and done is now done
what is and what was, have all become one.
the future ahead now do I plainly see,
the pathway ahead which waits just for me

Onward I go, into darkness of night
looking for dim rays, any sign of the light
to show me my way and guide my step
as I too remember that alone I have wept

This burden I shoulder, borne on my own,
known only to me and myself alone,
for every step, every mile, each inch that I tread,
there comes another which I seriously dread

But then as if from nowhere, what I do see,
appearing not far, just ahead before me,
a light of bright light, a vision so clear,
which beckons and calls, and draws me near

"Uplift yourself, you are not alone"
And there unto me the light is then shown
the darkness flares, with beauty so bright
that my hand I raise to block the light

What place is this? What is the name?
the words came back, again as the same.
"Uplift yourself, you are not alone
Here all is now love, and all is now known"

This isn't love, this can not love be,
love has never ever been found near me.
"Deny if you wish, but this much is true,
love has always been there, inside of you"

"For mile after mile of which you do walk,
and word after word, with which you do talk,
I have been there forever, and always shall be,
keeping you near, and always with me"

"For my heart is for you, I give, so take,
the reason only is for love's own sake."
I turn my head, to hide my shame,
backward I go, to whence I came.

Love, for me? I do not deserve.
stay here I can't, I haven't the nerve.
"Stop! Wait! Release from your doubt.
take not that step, not one more without...

"looking within to see what we see,
that which is you, and that which is me.
for Love is the reason you've come to this place,
and Love is the feeling now which you face"

Suddenly inside, I started to shake,
the light came to me, my burden did take.
released from my fears, my soul, it did fly
throughout all the heavens, far beyond the sky!

So light, so free, so joyful 'tis now
to explain? To begin I wouldn't know how.
back to the light with praise on my lips
Sweetness, Love's wine, my heart now it sips.

Thank you! Oh Thank you, for that that you give,
without it before, how could ever I live?
"A gift 'tis not, this treasure sublime,
for Love was within you, all of the time"

Paul Allen Rice