The River of Life
I wish I could immerse myself
in the pages of history, time,
and deep reflection...letting go
of everything I think I know
and give myself another chance
to clarify my perceptions and beliefs
in the river of life that flows.
If only I could turn back time
and start my life over again, I would
go back to school and give more
thought and consideration to all
the countless battles waged,
names, faces, places, dates,
religions, philosophies, and ideologies
of the miniscule and the great.
I'd give anything to take a deep dive
into Achilles, Hector, Agamemnon, Athena
and the Trojan War;
the whole of Greek mythology,
Assyrians, Babylonians, Hebrews,
Romans, Carthaginians, Egyptians,
and untold others by the score.
I would follow them from their origins
to ascertain their thoughts and dreams;
and attempt to read between the pages of the ages
to hear their laughs, cries, wishes, wants,
and fearful screams.
But time is running out on me,
as it once did for all of them
and the best I can do now is strive to seek,
what tell-tale signs and secrets left behind
still echo through the halls of time to speak.
And if I were young enough and able
I would feast on ancient tables
side by side with kings and queens
and knights renowned; like Lancelot and Guinevere
to find the love that kept them bound.
Or visit Cleopatra and Anthony
before their die was cast,
warning them of Octavian
and life so soon to pass.
I would sail the ocean of God’s wisdom,
beauty, goodness, and truth
if only it were possible
to turn back to my youth...
and climb the mountain peaks of mysteries
waiting for me there, where
I once had the chance of a lifetime
but missed it, standing there.
Inside, outside, down below
and high above,
beckoning me towards ecstasy
but I missed the call of The One True Love...
too worried about my own desires
and ego-driven needs,
When instead of planting oak trees
I walked among the weeds.
And let me not forget to explore
the most far-reaching book of all:
the Book of the "Word"
recorded for the mighty and the small...
for without the Maker of the universe
I'd have nothing to think about at all.
Yet here I stand and contemplate
the span of human days,
a mere mortal man with meager thoughts
but enough for him to say:
I wish I could immerse myself
in the pages of history, time,
and deep reflection...letting go,
while watching the river of life
as it whispers and wanders on
forever, as it flows...
Copyright © Terrell Martin | Year Posted 2023
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