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Tarot Poetry
by Michael Gerald Sheehan
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Wandering Stranger
In the mist of the morning I climbed up the mountain
And met a young lady so happy and free
I wanted to tell
her how much I would love her
If she would be willing to wait there for me -
But before I could tell her the thoughts
I was thinking
The lady went dancing away down the hill
With a smile on her lips and a gleam in her eye
That said,
"Leave off and follow me now, if you will."
I took one look at her and one look at the mountain -
I would if I
could, but I'd made up my mind:
There was nothing would stop me from climbing that mountain.
I turned and I left the
young lady behind.
After two hours of walking I thought I heard voices.
The thunder of battle came over a ridge.
Some
men tried to get me to join in their fighting,
But I crossed o'er the river on an ancient stone bridge.
There
were flowers in the meadow and deer in the woodland:
The forest was greener, the air fresh and clear.
The wind in
the trees whispered, "Don't go no further,
Whatever you're seeking, you'll find it right here."
So I laid down to
rest for no more than a moment
And dream of the life I could have in this wood -
But the time raced away and the sun
was near setting
When I stood up and walked on as fast as I could.
Fare you well, wandering stranger,
There's
many diversions you'll meet on your way.
Fare you well, wandering stranger,
There's danger in any good place if you
stay.
Soon the twilight was gone and the night was upon me:
The eyes in the darkness were frightful to see.
I
was sure that some animal, lying in waiting,
Who fancied a meal would soon leap from a tree.
I began to believe I
had lost my direction.
There were clouds in the sky and no landmark to see -
But a voice in my heart said, "your feelings
will guide you,"
The clouds disappeared and the moon shone on me.
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XXI - The World
We think of ourselves as having a conscious mind and a subconscious mind. The truth is, we have only one mind, a bi-modal
mind, which has been split apart by the dominance of one half over the other. The lesson of the World is that true happiness
depends upon the full integration of our inner male and female.
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It was midnight when I saw the peak of the mountain
Still standing above me, all covered with snow.
It was colder
than Hades but I kept on walking,
To learn all the secrets the mountain would show.
At the end of my climb, it
was me and the mountain.
I'd left all behind me that never was true
And I knew for the first time the name of
my father
As I stood there in silence, beholding the view.
Fare you well, wandering stranger,
There's
many diversions you'll meet on your way.
Fare you well, wandering stranger,
There's danger in any good place if
you stay.
When I climbed down the mountain I came to that meadow
That once was a picture of of beauty and
peace -
But the forest was burning and men they were shouting
As they ran from the battle to sound the retreat.
And the pretty young lady from yesterday morning,
Her dress torn in tatters and covered with slime,
Wiped
a tear from her cheek and cried, "Let the men die
For there's not one refused to partake of this crime."
When they spied me they gathered around and they shouted,
"With you as our leader, we'd turn and we'd fight."
Every man pledged his land and the fruit of his labor
If only I'd challenge their enemy's might.
So I stood
at the foot of the ancient stone bridge
And called to the king on the opposite side
Let the two of us meet on this
stone bridge alone
And the fate of our men between us we'll decide.
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He was bristling for battle and stormed up the bridge -
But he came to a halt when I looked in
his eye,
For he'd never been up to the peak of the mountain
And the look on my face made the old soldier cry.
He could see what he was as if I were a mirror.
He never could raise up a hand against me.
He returned to
his men and they rode off together,
But the tear in his eye he did not let them see.
From a ship in the
harbor a princess came riding -
A woman quite sure of her true mother's name.
In a year we were married and tending
a garden
And after the harvest a new baby came.
Now you're seventeen years and you don't care to listen
You
think times have changed since the wisdom I've learned.
You've been cruel to your kinsmen and rude to the women
And
squandered your share of the money I've earned.
So I'll give you this last bit of gold, if you want it,
Then
be on your way that our fighting may cease
It's a song that will guide you on your weary journey.
Now go and let
me and my wife live in peace:
Fare you well, wandering stranger,
There's many diversions you'll meet on
your way.
Fare you well, wandering stranger,
There's danger in any good place if you stay.
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Keyword: Completion
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