Monday 8 March 2010

Shades of Light


Shades of Light

A figure in the heat haze
walking toward me
through the desert
appearing and disappearing
in refractions of light

An attractive woman
with purpose in her step
refusing to be overcome
by the searing sun

I welcome her to the shade
with a cup of water
which she drinks slowly
and then she says

"I walked through the desert
south by south east
an arduous crossing
in an attempt
to circumvent the beast
with the last of my strength
I have found you today
and now need you to show me
the rest of the way"

I reply

"You cannot find the place you seek
because you do not understand
the terrain you must cross
is of the heart and not the sand
There can be no Utopia
in a world warped by sin
there can be no external peace
only peace within
And I must tell you
I'm not going on
this place where you found me
is now my home
here I have a little peace
and enough for my needs
shade when the light burns too bright
warmth and shelter in the night
and in this place you're welcome to stay
or I can help you go back on your way"

She replies

"How can I stay
when a world beckons me
with places to go
and people to see
questions to ask
and answers to find
truth to learn and teach mankind
things to be done and things to be said
while you recline in the shade"

I reply

"You do not understand
my questions
are all paper boats
I sail for the amusement
of watching them sink in the deep
I have come to the end of debate
with nothing more to be said
only to patiently wait
and be thankful for the shade"

She replies

"No you do not understand
I have come for you"

2 comments:

  1. Thought provoking and hauntingly beautiful. What a wonderful gift you have. Thanks

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  2. I'm not good with compliments.
    A minister friend once told me to give up on trying to write poems. So it's good to hear something positive. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete