A Reckoning (+2)

In all things

  there is a bitterness,

  that time tries to hide

In all things

  there is a loneliness,

  coming from inside

In all things

  there is a telling,

  where tomorrow may be shown

In all things

  there is a reckoning

   —where truth and lies atone

(Dreamsleep: May, 2019)

Hope

Detour to heaven,

  back road to joy

Change of direction

  —hope redeployed

(Villanova Pennsylvania: May, 2019)

Humbly I Pray

Tonight through the darkness,

  I wander and crawl

The faces all ghoulish,

  my past to recall

Unsure of direction,

  I listen for sounds

To possibly guide me,

  as fire abounds

I look to my left,

  as hooves thunder past

I look to my right,

  and Beelzebub laughs

All color has gone,

  just the fieriest red

I live out my fear,

  I live out my dread

One hope then to muster,

  that faith remains true

And guides me inclement,

  past demons anew

My despair almost total,

  my regret full in charge

I squint through the smoke,

  “there’s new light from afar”  

I plod on my knees,

  as it grows bigger still

And the temperature drops,

  and the moment refills

Now free of damnation,

  my life starts again

With sacred commitment,

  forgiven of sin

My tomorrows all cherished,

  I live for today

Belief my true savior

  —as humbly I pray

(West Philadelphia: May, 2019)

To Laura Nyro

Escaping myself,
I ran into the wilderness

Escaping myself,
I ran back through the dawn

Escaping myself,
 my shadow had vanished

Until capturing myself

—in the words of your song

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2014)