Gratitude

I saw A Man…
His Voice was sweet, like Nectar,
(When it flows!)
And, when He spoke, the words fell, soft,

Like dew‑drops on a Rose;
His step was firm where’er He walked…
His Foot‑prints… shining‑bright,
And, tho’ gentle was His Touch,
He was A Man of Might!

And, like A Halo round His Head,
He wore His coal‑black hair;
And Love, just like a sweet Bouquet,
Was offered everywhere!
He brought a new un‑clouded
View unto my human‑eyes,
And, tho’ I knew not whence He came,
I knew The Man was Wise!

The graceful Robe, around His Form,
Caressed Him…
Like a Flame,
And then, I learned from a passer‑by,
`Sai Baba’ was His Name!

I sat among the growing throng…
And, eagerly, I sought to understand
His Mystery…
That filled my every thought;
I saw Him heal an ailing child…

And, soon…
The Name of ‘Sathya Sai’ was chanted,
EVERYWHERE!
And, silent, as a passing breeze,
And bare‑of‑foot… He trod,
And ‘something’ whispered in my soul
“This is not Man… BUT GOD!”

The years have passed on restless wings,
And, strong; the Bond remains…
And, when I cannot understand,
He silently explains!

There is no ‘goal’ I can’t achieve…
No Load I cannot bear
As long as (in my human way!)
I see His Footsteps there!
His Smile is Something
I recall with tenderness …. And awe!
For me… He spreads a Shining Path,
And opens every door…

Today…
I kneel in gratitude,
As tear‑drops fill my eye,
And, whisper‑soft, I speak the words
“I love You, Sathya Sai…”

~G. B. Australia
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, Oct. 1987