I have stepped on the craggy, coastal rock
That demarks Hemmick Beach.
I have danced in the waves
That crash shallow on the shore
And watched the sun glisten on the sea.
I have seen the seagull as a silhouette
In flight against a moonlit sky.
I have let the sand fall
From the palms of my hand
And laid on its golden bed.
I have walked through the forests
As the shadows danced
And the sun flickered across my path.
I have smelt the dew rise
Fresh from the earth,
On the morn of a summer's day.
I have held up a rose to know its scent
And to feel its soft-petalled skin.
I have looked up to the sky
And watched the clouds pass by;
I have counted the stars at night.
I have stood in fields of wheat and corn
And breathed in the sweet, country air.
I have heard the thunder
And seen the lightning flare
Across a wet, black sky.
I have felt the waters of a flowing stream
Gush swiftly over my skin.
I have swam in the cold waters of the sea
And tasted its salt on my lips.
I have run in the night
Through the pouring rain
And laughed hand in hand with love.
I have listened to the cries of the new-born child
And held a baby in my arms.
I have felt her soft skin next to mine
And whispered love in her ears.
I have felt pain go straight through my heart,
And pain reach my tortured soul.
I have driven at speed along country roads
And felt the warm wind in my hair.
I have known and shared love
With wonderful people
And felt harassed by the dark side of man.
I have climbed grassy mountains
And seen beauty below
I have walked through fresh-fallen snow.
I have heard the laughter of children at play
And of friends sharing food and good wine.
I have listened to music
Reach deep into my soul,
And danced to the beat of a drum.
I have felt the softness of a puppy's fur
And inhaled the pure, mountain air.
I have felt the kisses of my children's love
And watched them asleep in their beds.
I have seen the butterfly flutter on the lilac bush
  And the crab scuttle across the sand.
         I have sat in silence, looking out to sea
         And remembered so many happy times.
         I have seen the pink sky
         And watched the sun going down
         And the yacht float on still waters, clear.
         I have listened to nature on the woodland walk
         And the chirping of birds in the trees.
         I have imagined the beauty of places unseen
         And sensations of things unknown.
         I have wanted much more
         But only dreams can allow
         One to travel to such distant lands.
         What undiscovered beauty and unfelt pain
         Awaits one in the search of self?
         Keep strong and embrace all that you find
         With a heart full of goodness and hope -     
         Untainted by the pains you endure,
         Untainted by the evil that you find.
         But most of all keep in sight
         A vision that’s pure
         Of the pilgrim’s heavenly home.
         Then all that you seek
         Will be blessed by the love of a
         God who is love, only love.