FOR ALL THAT IS AND YET MAY BE
by Thomas D. Kersting
The Japanese have a word for it, Let us savor the enchantment of
the pathos of things, what is. Celebrate the promise of the sense of how fleeting beauty is, the day, the yearning of the seedling as they revel in the comeliness for the sun. For never will it be of the cherry blossoms, the Sakura, the same again. so lovely,
so transient, In the scent of a new-mown lawn breathe deep, so still. At the swaying of the iris take delight,
In the shade of an elm find peace,
"Mono no aware," they call it, In the fading the day be still.
"Muhnó nó áre wuh ray," they say,
and all know then to savor such In the laughter of a child find joy,
beauty as befalls us, At the sound of a familiar voice take heart.
if only for a while. In the love we give and all we have,
for such time that is allotted us,
For then, in but a breath of time, give thanks.
mere memory remains, its moment
having come and gone and left us For all that is and yet may be,
wistful for what once was. in all its passing splendor,
rejoice.
