Sunday Musings – May 31st Edition

n lieu of all that’s going on in our world and in our country, I decided to post a poem I wrote for one of my books. Sorry for imposing by emailing this rather than something more businesslike, but it seemed appropriate today. Ordinary words couldn’t properly express my emotions.

Caught between the thoughts that give
and those that take away…
A longing to go forward,
the reasons yet to stay.
Perched upon the steepest edge,
with choices still to make,
A step onto the fragile ledge….
All others to forsake.
A move that takes you to a place
from which you can’t go back.
Is it need that drives you forward so,
Or is need exactly what you lack?
What motive lures your spirit on,
Who beckons you to dance?
Is it fortune that brings you to this choice
Or is it merely chance?
Is it destiny?
Is it pride?
Or is it simply fear?
Is it virtue?
Is it envy?
Or is it fate that brings you here?

Does a pure heart know the difference
Between the image and the dust?
Is the light so bright you cannot tell
what can be from what must?
To go, to stay…
Will you find your way
‘Tween credence and mistrust?
‘Tween a love that’s true and lust?
‘Tween the righteous and unjust?

Do you see the contrast yet
between what you give and what you get?
A bleeding heart is all that’s left
when reason turns to rage.
Within the mists can you discern
the path of peace for which you yearn,
a language they have yet to learn,
The devil from the sage?
The paper from the page?
The actor from the mage?
The payment from the wage?
The prison from the cage?
The moment from the age?

What is weak and what is strong?
Are you right or are you wrong?
Could you be the Dark One’s pawn,
Content to merely go along
And trudge on blindly with the throng,
Do anything to just belong,
And pray this darkness yields to dawn,
Before the founts of strength are gone?

Or will you race against the storm?
Struggle for the yet unborn?
Heal the wound, extract the thorn,
Subdue your fear of evil’s scorn,
Look with hope upon the morn,
Boldly blow trust’s fearless horn,
Fulfill the noble pledge you’ve sworn,
Be all you can; be bold, be strong,
Be the herald of tomorrow’s song?

Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Gary