[John Asherah]

The Ascended come not to die, but to demonstrate the power of devotion beyond self-concern, rendering fear non-existent and death irrelevant.

We surmount each obstacle in its turn and rise stronger thereby.
We stand atop one, to then reach and grasp the next.
Thus, do we ascend.

Is the tree’s new leaf an insult to the old?

Through branches of the ancient forest, the breeze plays a familiar tune.

I weep for the jeweled beauty of stars and I, born of them.
Through me, they see and know themselves beautiful.
Upon me, their light for a moment falls.

Into the heart of the world we peer and gaze and are transfixed.
We fall to dust only to return better than before.
The seer and the seen as one.

Hope rises from knowing the worth of our purpose.