Baneful Invitations

Baneful Invitations by Odin Roark With so many invitations offered He often graciously refused Even as the ones he accepted Colored him wary of power’s enticement Seldom did he recognize the shadows So caught in the obvious seduction That cloak of safety Forever capable of disguise By allure’s chameleon Into the years of light’s duplicity The darkness that strove to rule He wandered Bereft of judgment So unakin to wisdom’s path Until Worn sandals of search Became unneeded As the rutted paths Washed out roads Mapped futures Disappeared Such became his epiphany That becoming one with The nymph of his freedom-quest Life’s tenacity Like his own Found solace from solicitation Reclining amidst the tundra of austerity Where honesty Not manipulation Integrity Not duplicity Flowered his blanket of comfort Requests became gossamer As his view from on high Amidst fragrances sublime Blinded eyesight’s temptation Deafened hearing’s regret Lifted the sense of being Outside the once enticing prison He could but gaze with wonder Down there Amidst the throngs Invitations continued multiplying Just as acceptance Continued gorging itself