Thine Own Self
This river takes a beam of light straight through
Itself, right through it to its lowest part
If clear enough. The current is still true
To water’s self. The water does not start
To break its molecule or try to be
Some other element, say fluorine’s flow.
Transfigured by the calling of the sea,
The streaming current still adopts the glow
Of light and still retains its liquid soul.
The running still retains its flowing course
And purest self, retaining water’s whole
Essential nature. Water has the force
To hold its absoluteness both as steam
Or ice, despite a piercing mystic beam.
~ Phillip Whidden