Songs of the Soul/Part 2/Variety

by Swami Yogananda

Layout 2

 

VARIETY

I sought for twins
I could not find;
I search my mind,
No twins have seen.

They seem alike,
Man and man, beast and brute,
Yet no faces two are like;
Ne’er the same song sang the lute.

Ne’er two hearts are same.
I bow to each new form and name—
Variely complete,
Through forms infinite.

I wish that I were you and he,
And all at once what I would be;
Oh, could I wear at will all terrene minds,
Like robes of newer kinds!
   Then would I flash forth varied smiles,
   Or languorous walk in sorrow robed,
   Or charm with sparkling wiles
   And time beguile;

   Or march with martial songs,
   To right all wordly wrongs;
   Or wear a powerful prophet mind
   And into dust earth’s sorrows grind;

   Or wear the youthful hermit’s heart,
   To scatter love and strength impart.

I’d wear each heart
And don each will and smiles and spend my pelf
To try all noble minds and thoughts
And take what suits myself.

With brain-born nixes,
With marsh-marauding hopes and pixies,
With every elfin thought that timid trod on mind
I’d friendship find.

To soul of the New in things
My spirit homage sings.
I would not taste the same nectar,
Nor twice drink from th’ Immortals’ jar.

Thy presence, O Eternity,
Show Thou in endless variety;
Yet change not me,
Though various my costumes be.