Thomas McElwain

I’m Lucky

I’m lucky to be of the Iroquois

Who have, they say, twelve souls that they enjoy.

I have a pagan soul that I employ

About the skies adorned with hope I scan.

I have a Christian soul, a Jewish plan,

A Muslim soul and one Samaritan.

My Hindu soul clashes not with the Jain,

My Buddhist with my Taoist soul in vain.

Confucianist is the last soul I name,

Besides the Druid that I love to claim.

The twelfth soul is the first, a secret song

Outside the lays of righteousness and wrong

Of the great world traditions: it’s my soul

That’s hidden in You, my Beloved and goal.