Claire V. Bogdanos

Wistful windows that long for strangers in the night,

Restless dreams lust to capture fantasy in flight,

Illusion contriving all rank of rebellion

And prowling, seeks other pastures hither and yon.

Restful spaces in which the heart can love again

Belong not just to imagery, vivid or plain,

When leaving love behind, one closes many doors

Breaching other vistas fair caprice explores.

To keep a steady grasp on sensibility

Frequently becomes a friendless calamity,

There are spans when fears rise, increase and terrify

And striving as we might, all judgement nullify,

Direction appears elusively to transit,

Then to find ourselves lost and in our grief expand it.

The gentle soul with sacrifice that seems insane,

The loving heart that begs consistency in vain,

Take heed, those apertures yawn widely in and out

We may overcome them, if we can conquer doubt.

Thus do not cry, venture bids one to try once more

And seeking, find that life and love, as was before.

Forsake thoughts that abide with mock serenity,

Visions of affairs that end in obscenity,

And travel in the realm of never-ending hope,

Of all the lessons taught, the best, learn how to cope.