What Constitutes a Soul

What constitutes the soul of a man
is it the sum of experience lived
words spoken, signs missed
decisions failed to make
struggles overcome
or heartbreak born into new love

perhaps 'tis all and none
for who can truly say what constitutes a soul
we as mortal beings have no sure way of knowing
nor do the deities we pray to and worship in search of answers
as neither we nor they can say with certainty
as neither has been, or ever shall be, a living testament nor a breathing answer to this conundrum

what constitutes the soul of a man
perhaps the answer is born deep within us
a hidden light amidst chaotic darkness
a glorious respite concealed in a storm of uncertainty
waiting, its voice silent until we are ready and willing to accept a truth greater than can be imagined by either man or god
a realization no form of life, no shape of existence could ever hope to conceive

in earnest search for this greatest of truths
we must disregard the differences which, when seen through a lens of understanding
are intrinsically minor, being little more than flotsam upon the crashing waves of life

the color of one's skin
the identity of one's gender
the desire or lack there of for relationships of a physical nature
be they with those of like gender, the opposite, both or neither
the name of one's god and prophet
or the assumed origins and ultimate destiny of life and the world

all these are but distractions
diversions from the course towards ultimate understanding
as though they help us define ourselves
they do precious little to aid in the search for the greatest truths

and to hate others for such minor details
is truly the most sincere form of demonic ignorance

once more, what constitutes the soul, be it of man or woman
though it cannot be said for certain
in the opinion of this humble scribe
the answer is a human characteristic seemingly made inhuman
a treasure buried deep within the ether since we as a whole first chose to differentiate rather than accept
a truth turned to myth by the disease of ignorance

acceptance, understanding, compassion, love, care, it goes by names too many to count
all sharing the same root
flourishing in the same fertile soil
growing stronger when cultured, nurtured and tended
thriving as a rose among bitter thorns, its pedals the shape and color of the wonder latent within us all
spreading infinitely when believed in and encouraged
until it leaves no room for the vile weeds of hatred to grow
bringing life and peace back to a world so desperately in need of salvation from darkness
and bathing us all in the warming glow of humanity's greatest potential