Dan Williams

Faded Glory

Oh, the clinging desire for glory and prestige

after difficult decisions one makes,

recognition from one’s families and friends,

back slaps and handshakes,

disappointment when it so quickly ends.

 

Endeavoring to void or side-step mistakes,

oh, you may have striven so sincerely,

yet still see shadows where no one is standing

though landlocked, aware of storms out at sea,

typhoons of disoriented crash landings.

 

Still somehow arriving at the connection

of your once notorious yesterday,

where brilliant and crazy merged all your chances.

Repeatedly dialing the number for hell that same way,

repeatedly being surprised at who answers.