Sally Eslinger | + Follow Poet |
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Always

ALWAYS. ********

Understand.  I MUST go
On these clearing acts of
Instinct and inspiration, these flashings
As they come.  For a blizzard has
Been moving in and the snow is
Piling up by the foot...So the doors
Must be kept cleared.  The temperatures are
Not rising.  The storm pounds in
From the west, but I part the curtains awaiting
The sun to gleam up from the east.  These
Enemies — oppression and fear — have come
Disguised as beautifully rising white drifts,
Satisfied that I will drowse by the window 
As snow turns the entire landscape into silence.
Understand!  Encroaching dark shadows are easier 
To overcome, for they reach forward bringing 
A dis-ease that I must fight and know 
They will tremble upon my call to Jesus.  
But, this massive blizzard is a masked, deceitful
Effort of death to try my will to live
And act upon what remains to me:
Instinct and inspiration, as born within me.
In the ‘70’s, in Chicago I survived a massive dropping 
Of snow over days of falling.  Snow was
Shoveled and packed into chest-high, 
Undulating routes to trudge as a necessary 
Innovation for sidewalks.  Once, I stood at
A stoplight on a mound higher than my height.  
That was practice in preface for now.  See!
All things have their meanings.  All things.
I am confirmed.  I will shovel 
Out from this blizzard with prayer and poetry
And love...I must.  I must.

Thanks be to God!

***************************************
(C) sally young Eslinger8/24/2020

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