You existed only in a flash in a dark room
momentarily visible through the murky gray glow.
Such light is not intended for observation
but as a reminder of the beauty which burned
on this prisoner's face once long before these
iron shackles were cast.
Chained down and blinded,
locked away in some forgotten corner,
I tried to kill you,
to stop your breath before that cruel breeze
could spark another storm
and erode, inescapably, all that remained.

You existed as withered shriek
rendered mute by neglect
until each wounded plea became a croak,
until each captive minute ran together
like drops becoming a stream.
Apathy flowing free,
trampling any uniqueness under damp boots
as the river inevitably found an ocean.
I exist now, but only as an island on that open sea.

You are who I was, lost in a jungle,
running, stumbling, falling, only to run again from
dangling vines which form nooses and plead for a head to hang.
Coward, dead 100 times before his date,
if not here where then? In what Place will you find your end?
Alone of course, shipwrecked on some distant shore,
watching the death of the day linger
long passed its welcomed stay.
I exist now, but you've failed far better than I achieve.

You are a magnificent marble tower
waiting patiently for the walls to fall.
Forgotten white granite stones carved ornately
to remind all that shall someday come of your importance.
Stand strong above the tree tops, burn brighter than the sun.
A beacon I climb to spark again,
each rounded step I pass elevating me above,
giving me cause, finally, to be more than I have been,
because maybe today I'll see you again.

12/08/2007

Posted on 12/08/2007
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