The Mystery of Before


The morning comes slowly,
first with a faint glow growing
in the sky above the fence,
then lifting to prod the feet
of clouds as if to wake them 
and raise their rain heavy weight 
up off the horizon.

My body fills the contours
of an old chair, positioned to catch
the first rays coming through 
the window to see off the long night.
There are times when I feel
that the darkness will never end,
a thick black pall falling
across all thought,

but it goes and I begin
to take in the day. Some trick
of memory assembles me again,
puts me in a familiar place where
I know where the cups 
and the coffee beans are kept
and somewhere
in my mind a gallery opens
with wall after wall
of familiar faces

and pictures of the past, 
time stamped and strung out 
way back to where all becomes
an impenetrable blur, nothing more
than a dreamless sleep out of which 
I emerged as me 
from the mystery of ‘before’.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Lawless Avatar
July 14, 2024 at 6:27 AM
A mentor always spoke to me of "the eternal present moment" and its many disguises. Beautifully expressed in this ..must be read again...again....poem. Masterful write Paul. A FAVE
Willason Avatar
July 14, 2024 at 9:05 PM
Thankyou John....appreciate the time and thought given to the poem along with your kind words. Sincerely appreciated. Cheers, Paul
M  Avatar
July 13, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Enjoyed reading this one Paul l found it intriguing. I love how you describe! I was also happy to read your memory put you in a familiar place so you knew where cups and coffee beans were kept…Priorities Paul!! Love the Title and the last two lines especially! Debx
Willason Avatar
July 14, 2024 at 8:46 PM
Thanks Deb for reading the poem...always enjoy and appreciate your comments my friend. Can't do anything without my coffee.. Cheers...
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace