From the Shadows

Strolling on a lonely pathway was a lone rider
The cacophony of sounds fading into the background
Thoughts reverberating within the strider,
Pace reflecting the burden with which he was bound

Dark clouds descended, the gaze of the moon hovered
Stillness swept over the Earth and all fell quiet.
It seemed as if the entire landscape had surrendered
To the clutches of a dark, hopeless, cruel plight

His greatest fear once again whispered aloud
The far cries of a long forgotten battle resounded
Once again he feared defeat, once again he vowed:

Thou cannot cage me again,
Not now when I have learned to fly!

Thou cannot tear me apart by your inflictions,
Not now when I have learned to endure!

Thou cannot weaken my certitude,
Not now when I have learned to trust!

Thou cannot plunge me into darkness,
Not now when I have known many dawns!

Thou cannot bereft me of hope once again,
Not now when I have learned to dream!

I have known what lies in the depths of the abyss!
Never will you know another path into the shadows
Because I have known all, and from all I was delivered!

In the End

Between moments and during intervals
I pause, I breathe, I reflect, I marvel.

Often times I strain to see through
The blazing darkness that hinders my view

So I close my eyes and feel the rhythm
The rhythm of life and the beats of my heart

Garbed in a cloak of darkness, I shamble forward
Groping and stumbling, I tremble, but I move onward

Hidden from the rest and even from self
Quietly, ever so quietly, it descends from above

Peace.

Like a silent pleasant breeze
Oh what a relief it brings, this peace!

No easy journey this is, they say

Aye, it isn't if you don’t know the way

Hear, hear this piece of sudden epiphany:
Tears of pain are few but of joy there *will* be many!