A Pause

On that hot afternoon
Even the creatures of heaven
Could feel the heat in hell
And paused awhile
To let it pass

But as for me, a wayward son
Doomed to labour and toil
There was no pause, no rest
But an eternal longing
An eternal thirst

Had I not been sleepy
I might have witnessed
The comings and goings 
Of the multitudes
I might have lived!

Hey, birds on the twig
What became of your nests
And your thousand promises
Of a thousand nestlings?
I might have witnessed!

Looking back on that day
I see the present through a crack
And I know I have arrived 
At the edge of my sanity
At the top of the precipice
Will the heat now abate
And let me fondle that coolness
Of the moonlit evening
And let me lick the honey
On my latest fount?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 7:08 AM
This makes me think of the scripture where it instructs us to be watchful for we do not know the hour of His return. I am adding you to my favorite poets list.
A   Avatar
July 28, 2013 at 5:55 PM
Gerald, now that is looking back... how has it been arriving at the edge of your sanity... enjoyed...LINDA
Kithinji Avatar
July 29, 2013 at 1:37 AM
I'm calm now that I know I'm not alone. Thank you PD.
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