Despite the haunting questions in my mind,
my words became a beacon in the dark;
I grabbed onto lines of favor and delight,
to capture all the lightning's eager spark.

I fought to scale the heights beyond the scope,
of imitating others whose words defined;
A limitless landscape depicting deep expression,
awakening thoughts which scattered over time.

Whenever I would write a lengthy stanza,
preposterous at times it may have seemed;
My heart would jolt inside me with a start,
to find I had created a worthwhile theme.

And when I found my voice had much to say,
far beyond the magical whirl of creativity;
Each script aligned in a calm and careful manner,
inspiring hope with cautious objectivity.

When I walk through the green paradise,
of graceful leaves softly surrounding me;
As the breezes blow like silent missives,
I hear the voices of angels calling me.

It's nearly dawn and the air is fresh,
with the scent of daffodils and violets;
There's a rainbow painting the sky above,
bringing life to this summertime event.

I'm enthralled by the beauty of it all,
filling my heart with feelings of romance;
The meadows shining like glistening emeralds.
I want to kick off my shoes and dance.

Then made comfortable by lilting whispers,
of angelic calls to life within the tepid wind;
I take my time absorbing the atmosphere,
assuring me that the world will never end.

Was I old enough to understand the reasons,
why God unfurled a myriad of seasons ?
An empty space--a relic--of years gone by,
let loose within my soul a youngster's sigh.

The shallowness that claimed my heart's corruption,
was old and torn like crumbled leaves' destruction;
For through the lens of youth I viewed the wasteland,
and carved the ravaged pathway to the heartland.

Stumbling and tumbling among the crisp evergreens,
searching for answers to questions now foreseen;
In images of light which floundered and faded,
while still holding onto flowers--ripped and jaded.

But then a rainstorm gathered with its power,
in a blast of wild winds with blinding showers;
My road ahead seemed doomed to be obscure,
as I wandered through the trees toward heaven's door.

And there I found the ultimate place of peace,
like a lantern in the darkened night's release;
Where trees of every shape and size grew tall,
and enchantment ruled the day for one and all.

The night was reflected in yesterdays,
of perilous haunting's sphere;
Which wandered into my current days,
through ominous waves of fear.

While shaking off my deep despair,
forsaking my soul's desire;
Looking forward sent me to the clouds,
erasing the present's ire.

The future seemed an awkward spot,
which never truly saw the past;
While silently watching worlds collide,
sending sparks from nature's blast.

So where now do I go from here ?
The darkest days are done;
I'll close my eyes and wander alone,
as my arms reach toward the sun.

But the captive heart freely understands,
its place within time's plight;
And rising from the ashes brings,
hope which leads me from the night.

The naked world defines my sorrow,
and leaves me hungry for more;
Of cherished moments under the sun,
with salt-sea kisses from a distant shore.

While lapis light shoots from the sky,
my heartbreak trends toward stars;
Which hold my thoughts in shining array,
creating images that carry my scars.

Still wounded and faint I walk alone,
seeking solace from the nightly echoes;
Which color my sadness and regret,
leaving me cold as the winter's snow.

If this is the time when I fade away,
then perhaps it's only a dream;
A phantom notion which plagues my soul,
reaches its heights--finally peaceful and serene.

There go the wild and eerie sounds of zephyrs,
translations stirred by birdsong in the air;
Listening closely for the eager signs of Spring,
where love and beauty take away our cares.

Crushing branches fall without their blossoms,
with cursed winds defying what we seek;
And blushing roses lose their winsome petals,
which float along a dark and dismal creek.

Winter's soul abandoned on frosty evergreens,
a crystalline mix of snowflakes drifting down;
Yet now its Muse reflects the complex corridor,
projecting mirrors of sunshine's brightening crown.

Our hearts combine their deep and wise conclusions,
that every single change shows Nature's way;
To cast its mystic aura throughout the Cosmos,
where sweet innocence and wonder rule the day.

Awakened in a channel of obscurity,
which overflows into a frightening wave;
Reminiscent of a bleeding soul's reunion,
with hungry eyes that glare beyond the grave.

These ghosts will rise from every flooded tunnel,
appearing gaunt and wholly drenched in misery's web;
That spirals 'round and 'round along the river,
into a foggy wasteland's muddy bed.

Through the night awaiting saintly missives,
to rescue all that's blessed from the ground;
Their wailing chants reach up into the cosmos,
voices shrieking in a cacophony of sound.

Somewhere in between a hollow memory,
survives among the mists of dawn's deception;
Another force reacts with ominous power,
against the Will of timely intervention

And soon the beleaguered spirits fill the night,
retracing all their steps which glow in darkness;
Then the final chapter yields a twilight ending,
which falls among the words of lives repressed.

Love hangs from the tree of happiness,
it often dangles and tangles its leaves;
Between the shadows of waning wonder,
calling out for someone to believe.

It floats from memory to memory,
scattering pictures throughout our minds;
Often it seems shaken and restless,
forging its visions from another time.

Scrambled missives falling from the sky,
reaching beyond the cool grassy hills;
Where the tree of love awaits its call,
disparaged--yet holding still.

But the sun arranges for brighter days,
which alight in joy and glory;
The saddest thing now flies away,
from the pain of an anguished story.

Then love nestles in the heart of town,
where the folks have seen the shine;
And share their gifts of friendship,
as love beckons to all mankind.

Meandering minds recall their place,
with fraught emotions tangled-
Appearing in a shadowy world,
where words are torn and mangled.

In recesses of profound desire,
when fiery images lose their way-
Through many doors they've wandered,
yet their souls are tossed and frayed.

Again and again this fire deploys,
a fiercely bound intention-
To rise among the smoke and ash,
lifting hope for mass redemption.

So many doors from which to choose,
for the fractured shells of man-
Yet undisturbed they diffuse the flames,
with wild and windswept rain.

Suffering through a tragic break,
knowing inside what was at stake;
Still believing in the mighty cause,
despite the handwriting on the walls.

The callousness of crass design,
from anguished heart and muted mind;
Against each fear we must confess,
in promising words we should profess.

With every piece of shattered dreams,
all wrapped up in plans and schemes;
Blanketing the world with colors pale,
and desiring only to tip the scale.

An atmosphere that doth proclaim,
the rebounding spirit of the game;
When love's doled out in tiny pieces,
a heartbeat swells then quickly ceases.

Forever lonely we all shall live,
with nothing left to borrow or give;
Regret and sorrow infuse our days,
as charity's tossed and blown away.

In a dream-like state we follow the words,
and images projected forward;
Inside our hearts we shake and quake,
with fear of moving onward.

Holding hands our voices muted,
waiting for the gypsy chant;
Closing our eyes in the darkened room,
as candlelight hails against the rant.

From nothingness arose a silver harp,
and a statue of beauty and grace;
A view marred by smoky essences,
which pervaded this somber place.

The howling from bewitched spirits,
increased the pounding inside my chest;
But one small token left behind,
set my helpless fears to rest.

I walked away with confidence,
and held his rosary in my hands;
Promising my father I'd "keep the faith,"
that would lead me to the promised land.