Michael Shepherd Poems

When those you most love
die
that's the time to speak in praise of love
(said Saint Valentine) .
...

tears and fears,
run away;
run as fast as
fears run high,
...

It's his light touch.
He's not trying to tell you anything,
convince you of anything,
he's not watching your face
...

It’s said – and so it seems to be –
that when the individual mind
emerges from that place where mind
rests, perfect, and in unity with all things to be known –
...

Faith; hope; and loving-kindness;
these three surpass all worldly understanding:

all these await in human nature
...

If the soul had eyes unshadowed by
that restless fog that shorts my mortal stature;
eyes so bright with dazzling holy light
reflected pure from every living creature -
...

Confucius and Rabbi Hillel alike
said, reciprosity is prime:
‘What you do not wish for yourself,
...

Spring sunlight filters through new leaves
in this wood near Athens;
the ozone of the sea not far away
livens the nostrils of the hopeful student
...

‘As the sun that shines through glass,
so Jesus in his mother was; ’

as a babe in cot be laid,
...

you're still running
in the dark between the
dangerous lights.
you don't hear their footsteps
...