579. Early and late

I went to see God
An hour early.
He welcomed me
And
Shook hands with me.

I went to see God
Two hours early.
He welcomed me
And
Embraced me.

I went to see God
Three hours early.
He welcomed me
And
Made me sit on His
Transcendental Throne.

I went to see God
A minute late.
He thoughtfully hesitated to welcome me.

I went to see God
Two minutes late.
He simply ignored my arrival.

I went to see God
Three minutes late.
He refused to open the door.
Sri Chinmoy, The Dance of Life, part 12, Aum Press, Puerto Rico, 1973