In a vision, with a breath, I projected myself outward Like Genie leaving his lamp, I left my shell, my only guard. My consciousness merged with the ether, a molecule of air; I found myself in Himalayas, surfing the mountains there, Next I found myself heading east over Japan Far above the beasts and birds, outside the reach of man. Then I turned southward, to the Australian desert Descended right down to earth, next to dust and dirt; A passing snake took a breath, and thus me inhale Inside his body I became his inner skin, near his tail, And as the snake slithered along its crooked trail I, the skin, could feel the path, now hard, now sharp, now frail. Soon I felt an emptiness, my other side was free The snake had shed his skin, into the tunnel I flee. Inside this deep and dark tunnel, I moved towards the light I emerged in Italian Alps, on a highway, what a sight! And while the highway was turning, I went straight into the air Hovering above a deep valley, was flying without care Then a slow hang glider smoothly passed me by And I was then in a glider, going up into the sky. Up and up to the sky I went, until my glider stalled Everything around me was still, to me the silent called. An instant later my glider, stalling, flying down A winding mountainous highway, I'm driving with a frown. I pull aside and stop and look, the orange setting sun The ocean is shining red and gold, I and air are one. Flying over the ocean, a rain drop picks me up I fall into the ocean, I submerge, there's no stop. A small fish breathes me in, and I become the fish A larger fish hunts me down, who in turn does perish; The whale who ate the last fish is now my mortal host Inside the whale's stomach, I travel like a ghost. I see a vision, a strange dream, nay it is cartoon Pinocchio inside the whale, starts a fire, soon I as the air, go join the wood, and burn up with a glow And as smoke from the whale's head, I fly away and go Up to the skies and over land, caught by a giant redwood Absorbed and stored inside its bark, this my new cage could Encage me there for eons time, and I feel it is so I see the passing of seasons, too many till I go; Then a fire in the woods burns the tree, and me, the air, release I fly high up, in stratosphere remain, I float with ease in peace. I hang and hover, and free recover from my long encagement Until I find my peace of mind in my new engagement. While floating there, I look above, the dark and endless space The shining stars, twinkling bright, while some pick up their pace And in daylight, I look up towards the sun, and see the heavenly torch As Rumi said, this life giving orb, if slightly nears, in one stroke the earth scorch. I then become a glowing particle, contributing to aurora A cosmic show of Northern Lights, that heavenly flora; And within one more instant, a cosmic beam I glide Back into my own body, in my first abode reside. A cosmic light inside my shell, upon my trip reflect Review my journey as cosmic tourist, the major points select: Flying high into the sky, a traveller upon this earth Descending low, the earth below, for dust gave me birth Transmutation of a snake, letting the old skin go The light at the end of the tunnel, of birth and death I know; Gliding high into the sky, floating with perfect ease Silence I know, instantaneous stillness brings peace; To winding road pay attention, for that is my duty Stop and pause for the sunset, appreciate beauty. One moment up, the next rain down, in ocean I will drown The cycle of life, the fish eat fish, I a jewel in its crown; In the belly of the whale, the ancient myth, that old tale Burn with a glow and just trust, the whale smoke will exhale. Cycles of life can be short as fish devour fish Else are long like redwood, freedom for long wish, But even the ageless redwood, one day will have to die Finally burn to its grave, release me to the sky. Even the stars at night glow, burning fierce and bright And the high noon shall see the sun's glorious light. Nature is just perfect in all of its order The obedient sun always remains within its border Else the glowing sun shall be infernal Burning mother earth in times vernal. And the particles hanging high in the air Simply reflect the cosmic light with flare And the light in me, my only human factor Is nothing more than a cosmic reflector.