Last midnight deep when sleep eluded me
slipping like a dream eel
just beyond my conscious net
I arose, lit a candle
put a hymn to Shive on the CD.
In half lotus before
my household shrine
I smoked a bowl
of special birthday twine.
The wind rose wild
outside my open window
The candle danced
and I, entranced
turned my thought to the divine --
"Why the gods?" I begged,
"Where are you, gods?" I cried.
Then the wild wind died.
It grew so very still...
Death came and leaned on my open window sill.
"I did not call YOU," I said.
"Oh, but you did," Death replied,
"You called me loud and good.
I heard you from another land
and came as quickly as I could."
"Not you, not you,
I don't remember calling YOU.
I called the holy gods, the playful ones
to come and light my mind
and lift my heart.
I don't remember asking for the dark."
Death smiled and leaned her torso further in.
"It was your souls who made the call,
and I am just as playful as the rest.
If it's games you want, I know the
oldest and the best...
Would you like to play?"
"Some other day," I pleaded, "Please,
I don't know the rules..."
Death swung her legs into the room.
"I'll teach you all you need to know.
Let me be your school.
There are no rules my dear,
just a simple Law or two...
All the rest is up to you."