A Borrowed Light

A master of Zen

Wise among men

Lived on a hill

With a mind so still

A disciple came to see

Both talked with glee

Time went by

There was now darkness in the sky

He forgot that he had to go

And cross the forest below

Dangerous was the passage to his home

Where wild animals did roam

It was already midnight

His face showed fright

The master asked him to start

“For your home you may now depart”

There was no light in the skies

And looking at danger in his eyes

The master gave him a light

“This candle will make your path bright”

The disciple was now sure

That the light will endure

Relieved and assured

His worry was now cured

As the disciple was about to start the long track

The master blew out and took his candle back

“Master, I don’t understand

How will I face the darkness so grand”

“Unto yourself be a light

Then your path will ever be bright

How far a borrowed light could go

For long the path it cannot show”

A truth that we borrow

Will fade today or tomorrow

If we know how to ignite

Our path will ever be bright