I listened to the sound of bumblebees at play
While the muted echo of caterpillars’ sway,
Subtle and seductive, lent a special whistle
To the singing reeds where hid a dancing thistle.
The clamor of the wind where hungry leap frogs strayed
Mid grass alive with noise when all their eggs were laid,
Made unvenal chorus, too vibrant and alive
Like a blaring trumpet I thought I’d not survive,
Then with one rousing movement and crescendo rise
Hungered for the silence to follow my demise.
At mornings there are times when I
Upon my couch, rejected lie,
And ponder o’er the many schemes
That filled my days and were my dreams.
I spied a bird that paused in flight,
He battled not with conscience‘ might.
I climbed a tree that was so tall
And cried because my aims were small.
I heard a song that had no tune
And wished upon some waning moon
To be a bird and restless fly
Against God’s canvas of the sky.
There, seek to find another day
Or mayhaps learn the better way
To fill my life with keener zest,
Perform great deeds before my rest.
I will to you this last reply
To neither question nor deny
That days of man are wasted spent
To wonder where his lifetime went,
Whereas each bird doth leave behind
Abundant seed the rain will find.
Fearful and crushed are those saddened lives
Whose trembling hope pale agony survives
While those I know I cannot change or cure
Must forge their path along some way secure.
I find my life’s been challenged by the lights
And winnowed by the shades of shallow nights
Nights spent alone there wrapt in reverie
Midst lights of wisdom, shades of destiny.
Regarding this I pray my faith’s been sealed
Since many a lost promise has been healed.
While I may grasp this chance of happiness
And conquer all the woes which bar success
I find myself adrift upon a sea
Of senseless waste and hapless energy.
I’m weary of the endless battle now
I long for rest to garner strength somehow
And pray that God will shelter me once more
Ere I shall haste to latch one final door.
I have built myself a fortress not made of mortar and stone
Its windows draped in make- believe, doorposts hung with hope unflown.
I’ll dwell in this castle forever that’s built aside a hill
To blanket those sounds of reality lingering cold and chill.
The walls are painted with laughter as mellow as morning light
And the floors are set with marble in various moods of bright.
I’ve cushioned each lonely settle with pillows that sing out loud
And brought in a bit of heaven that rests above like a cloud,
I’ve garnered inside with flowers to bring the outdoors within
Assured when the winds of time blow bold my sunshine will begin.
Each room has a view of a garden with pine trees ever tall
Shutters to bar the sight of the things I refuse to recall.
I may bide in this place till never, safe from the outside pain
Like a child in storybook fashion who yearns to try again.
Claire V. Bogdanos 