When Darkness Reigns, Depths of Sorrow Increase

When Darkness Reigns, Depths Of Sorrow Increase Lo, with sad heart I write, "This soul in tears With burning pains spread throughout, Too oft now sleeps with dreadful fears." Tho' this mind seeks to find joy yet again To quell dark storms all about, Life and Fate shortens my remaining years. Shall I, of my father's flesh and bones, Fall into cold gray ash and bitter dust? Walk this field of grief and cold stones, Stumble and fall in pitiful sorrow again Abandon all my life's previous trust, wallow in despair, wail with anguished moans? Nature tells me to rise and thus survive Embrace great courage of ancestors now gone, Hold faith in sweet promise of being alive. And journey forth on true path again Whereas, in darkness I find no way to atone, Nor the power to live well and thrive. Lo, with sad heart I write, "This soul in tears With burning pains spread throughout, Too oft now sleeps with dreadful fears." Tho' this mind seeks to find joy yet again To quell dark storms all about, Life and Fate shortens my remaining years. Robert J. Lindley , 7-18-2017