I Wandered Lonely As a Life

"I wandered lonely as a cloud" -- William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a life bereft of joy by reason’s cloud to sling invective like a scythe from perched on high, lofty and proud. Naught from my lips but bile and scorn, delight extinguished, long since shorn. Imprisoned by my intellect, I held my neighbor in disdain, the simpletons who genuflect, lift voice in praise to gods inane. Devoid of purpose, meaningless, inflicting pain, I caused distress. Ensconced in fog, truth thus eludes, for nothing blinds like one’s own will, prolongs the moral turpitude, bolstering self yet further still. The darkness bears an evil grin, a putrid corpse, lest dawn breaks in. But worlds come crashing down, of course. A penetrating shaft of light that sears at first, causes remorse, illumines one’s desperate plight. A warmth then flushes on the face by blood reborn, restored by grace. ---------- for the I Wandered Lonely as --- Challenge Poetry Contest sponsored by Natasha L Scragg written on 09/18/2022