Tzimtzum

(see definition for tzimtzum)

One reads of it in books -

the great epiphany upon death;

The hero learning, seeing – no, remembering –

life’s simplest lessons;

That the world is beautiful beyond reason,

and it is good to see the light.

Remembering, surrendering, holding nothing back

Because there is no tomorrow;

Freed from all contingency, the soul embracing limitless light!

And I, I know it to be so,

Myself having remembered –

in the passing of an illness, when breathing

seeing walking gleam like miracles,

Or in some dear one’s passing,

grief exposing love’s true dimensions…

But my rememberings are tempered by tomorrows

And this great need the world has of me!

So many children entrusted to my care!

My own of tender age;

the race - but slightly older;

this world itself, enfeebled

by our rapacious appetites.

Tomorrow sets a boundary inviolate.

To cross is to become useless,

For perfection, like death, is sterile.

So I withdraw, believing, hoping,

That the light awaits

At my end of days.