'Tis

it was never he
nor father, nor son
nor lord or master
it was never she
nor mother, nor crone
nor maiden shone
it was never beast
nor half beast, nor metal
nor stone or alien
to any of what it is
it is as familiar as any
symbol on any temple,
church, mosque, or altar
and as escaping as any
notion dismissing it
it is more eternal than
the abysmal night sky
and the turning seasons
and flowing tides
it is the multitude
the gathering throngs
and the nothingness
found in silent songs
it is the you in me
and the I with you
it is the mystery
the truth and forever unknown
it is the heartbeat
of a seed never sown
it is the light and the
shadow at the end of the hall
it is what is left
when there is nothing at all