Every green soul

Every green soul                                                                                 
 
Deeply buried, this seed in the soil,
so hard, so small, so self-contained.
 
If it’s ever known moisture, ever known
light and greenness, they are far from it now,
 
merely rumors in the dark. 
Yet it hears above, every now and then,
 
what seems like the whisper of distant rain;
imagines, perhaps, a descending warmth; 
 
senses the season’s change.
But it’s difficult to keep its faith and heart
 
while essentially ignorant of its own potential,
the elements inherent within 
 
and the outward forces, prearranged and aligned,
inexorably pulling it up to the groundbreaking –
 
there to flower in the quiet warmth, the light;
to know at last the storybook ending – 
 
the fragrance, savor and sight
of the fruit it was ever destined to bear.
 
O child of God, in your Father’s garden surely
there is a place prepared for every green soul.

(drawing by Rich Panico)