7. Friend, I am sorry!

Friend, I am sorry!
Your beauty-lustre is gone
    Because
Earth has possessed you.

Friend, I am sorry!
Your duty-hour is gone
    Because
Heaven no more needs you.

Friend, I am sorry!
Your realisation-height is gone
    Because
God has discovered a new instrument
    to replace you.
Sri Chinmoy, The Golden Boat, part 9, Vishma Press, New York, 1974