Into this cauldron let me throw
A few slices of childhood,
Slivers of young laughter,
Dreams that line the sky;
Then follow it with questions
Diced into different shapes;
A few adolescent agonies
Over which tears never dry;
Now in goes all the turbulence
Of a shredded youth,
And add assorted spices
Marinated in days of grief;
And let the fire simmer
Into the later years,
Sprinkle over it the wisdom
Of the dried mature leaf-
Stir into it resilience,
And the sauce of faith,
The gravy can be thickened
With trust that does not move;
I add a dash of hope here,
A little pinch of work,
And serve it hot for two
With a garnish of love!