Holding On

I have a wife, a son and two granddaughters,
I have nightmares.
A 'having' cannot be held onto,
a Keep, a Fast, a Hold, all are synonyms
for a fortress....
my aspirations crumble like ancient walls.

When I pluck a pretty wildflower
from a verdant meadow -
a momentary kiss of joy,
an enlightening ray of sun....
then cometh the regret, the withering,
a racing time outpaces any moment.

I have bad nights,
the dark always wins over any internal light,
I am transfixed, wide eyed looking at phantoms
that burgle my mind,
                                  or do I rob theirs?

Who built this machine that
both devils and angels struggle to maintain?

Grace is doled out into my open palms,
and I must watch the blessing evaporate
before it reaches my lips.

                                I have bad dreams.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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