Indeed
Indeed, what is it that tries man's soul, certainly it is not those things of common day life. Really, I think that which comes upon a person when back is turned, or head held down, eyes cast not to forward ground, or when spirit weakened and almost broken that we suffer from things most profound, causing us to stop our forward bound.
Events that try mankind, an illness, a death, or unexpected source can hit with such force, pushing one to knee and close to down. Some falter, others refuse to go under staying to fight the arriving battle. Yes, it is most certain that such does indeed, try man's soul!
What be the out come of these goings on's, what is to be made of such forces pushing us hither and beyond, what exists behind each scene to carry us on...for some, it lies within, the spirit, strong, resilient and full of response, belief in self not to be undone, when against the wall, "just try me" the outward stubbornly cry! Others, the burden to great, weakened, shattered, tattered and torn, defeat now the anguished responsive reply, a downward spiral written on spirit's tablet so plain, challenges to strong to pull along.
Who is it that might come along to bolster the spirit, giving support and hope where lay despair and doom, the essence of friendship or other alliances formed will now stand or fall, weaken or grow, the truth now revealed, the fabric tight or loosely woven, the test is passed or fails the time.
I've been there when it seems that all has failed, one event after the other, one sworn relationship and then another forming a pile to become a hill, a seemingly insurmountable climb against it all, where is the justice, the right to be free of such mockery, contemptuousness and disdain. Yes, indeed it is such that try man's soul!
Like in desert found, that dry waterless soil, parched, barren and drawn, the spirit stumbles along picking a pathway carefully through scorching, searing, shifting sands, struggling to find a clear byway to stand solid upon. It is just when end seems near, all lost, no where to turn, the unexpected way is found or another joins to assist in battle begun, hope born, faith restored, forward movement found to soothe the frowning crown.
The question now becomes, "just how many times" shall all this come 'round before a man's soul no longer shivers, but shines with shielded amour, not to be pierced nor breached, rising to conquer all, the soul no longer tried, the answer, I guess, must be left to discoveries ways, to find that peaceful place wherein the soul can rest, the trials now over...as surely they will.
T. Condon Sept.'98
