Spirit: A Riddle
written by: Matthew Guertin
Going out, I remain,
and in remaining, I go out.
For I travel over waters and skies,
clouds and pined mountains,
and in traveling I gather together
into the rooms of my home,
which are waters and skies,
clouds and pined mountains:
All things are my home,
and nowhere is my home;
home I am homeless,
and homeless I am home.
In following, I lead,
and in leading, I follow.
For I am me because of all
and all are because of me,
for I first see because I see all,
and all are seen because I first see:
all others’ doings shape me,
and I shape all others’ doings;
their goings out are my goings out,
and my returnings are their returnings,
like a face to a mirror,
and a mirror to a face.
In keeping silence, I speak,
and in speaking, I keep silence.
For my words are the silences of things,
and the silent depths of all things
are the wellsprings of my words.
I am as fleeting as the light of the day,
and as permanent as the dark of night,
for before and after, and after and before,
I am darkness and light together.
And as the grave is to a life,
and as a life is to the grave,
so I am to all things:
For I am the memorial of all things,
and all things are the memorial of me:
Life and death I hold together:
to-ing-and-fro-ing,
each sinks in each—
in me, both together—
and rises again.
- Spirit: A Riddle - August 22, 2026
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