Mortal Coil

Of barren, coarse, of wrath I speak Long I pondered my passage through the Gates Now I stand at the prow surrendered and bleak Sailing my gondola like an eel through the Straits Where I am at peace with falling off the cliff Whizzing like an ancient spear Swept from the earth in the moment of grief Seeing all the pictures of life in retro, my dear. Whence I will see what I could not see, And I will feel what I could not feel The depth of the calm and the sea In the palaces of nothingness where I will peel Planks of carved wood With the images of what is known as love It- that once stood Deep inside of soul, in the heart and above. Before others I stood and swore, Before others I happily kissed, As Orlando Furioso, I dare not ever soar, Eyes closed that will never be missed. This life is toil, Scuffed and scrapped, Yet a heavy mortal coil In its breadth and its depth.