David Wakeling

Today I went to the Valley of Erudition.

On my journey I passed my Father’s gravestone,
I stood awhile crying for him in vane,
He was one who never loved and lived alone.
He drank and he managed to muffle his pain.
Not far away I heard some boys in a fight.
One boy gave out loud screams that were thunderous,
I shied away and fell to my knees in fright,
There are things in this world that are dangerous.

I continued to my lonely Mother’s grave,
I placed some pink  peonies at the head stone,
She always loved flowers and had to be brave.
Only in a marriage can you be alone.
Close by I heard screams from a humble homestead,
A woman giving birth like being tortured.
I shied away and fell to my knees in dread.
For there are things in this world that are awkward.


I entered the Valley of Erudition,
And I saw a blue sky that went forever,
Angels were  singing an opera rendition,
A cockatiel landed on my shoulder,
Imitating glorious sounds around us.
The small bird was listening to the chorus.
I couldn’t help but laugh at all the strange fuss.
For there are things in this world that are joyous.