This room became synonymous with death,
while waiting for relief from outside threats;
Hot and bare in wooded forest's scene,
stifling--hardly breathing---from the steam.

Recalling how I came upon this place,
running from the worst of the human race;
Folks who spend their lives in troubled spheres,
intending to cause harm and foster fear.

It wasn't long ago I had some friends,
who seemed willing to reach out and make amends;
But then mistrust and hateful thoughts arose,
which prompted me to gather all my clothes.

In summer's blazing heat I crossed a bridge,
and found this cottage on a mountainous ridge;
With few possessions curled up in a ball,
I lay in wait with hope no one would call.

And finally I heard the people's rants,
with fiery forces calling out in chants;
To surrender in humiliation and dismay,
or they'd drag me out and put me on display.

I must confess while praying to the Lord,
my crime was nothing horrid or abhorrent;
If God would let me live just one more hour,
these cramped quarters would be all I could desire.

And here I'll live in peace and honor still,
and cast no other stranger to the hill;
For every child should know he has a place,
within the bounds of God's amazing grace.

The streaming light of evening filters,
through the gauzy curtains hung above;
My day was restless and filled with pain,
the emptiness inside replaced past love.

I watch the curtains flutter like eyelashes,
as rainbow colors streak against the walls;
An old armchair embraces my wounded body,
the doorbell rings as someone comes to call.

No movement from my solitude to answer,
the wretched sense of loss has overwhelmed;
My mind and heart with tortured loneliness,
no other man would enter this vacant realm.

This grieving happens when lost love erases,
the humanity and wholeness of our being;
I pour a drink with hopelessness and sadness,
without him there's just no one else worth seeing.

Gone astray again but given a second chance,
to show remorse and pledge his love once more;
But this time there'll be no waiting at the altar,
he'll never walk again through my front door.

There comes a time in every life,
when shadows form from dust;
And ideals seek to be renewed,
before they fade and rust.

So many feelings left submerged,
like oysters crowded in the bay;
Can profit well from sweet release,
into the mist of ocean's spray.

As voices' resurrected rhymes,
in hymns of Nature's essence;
Their inspiration carries forth,
to hearts seeking spirits' presence.

A coastal chill awakens all,
who gather for the missive;
While dappling stars in amber light,
spell out each truthful vision.

And mindful of the world sublime,
all shadows leave in vain;
As faithful souls' reflections,
revive rhapsodies of falling rain.

Totally shrouded in stark memories,
within the walls of echoing voices;
My bones are chilled and frozen now,
while remembering painful choices.

The sunlight fading into dusk,
with purple streaks of a bitter sky;
As one final ray of amber light,
gently streams into my tearful eyes.

The porch where love had been professed,
lay paint-chipped and desolate in gray;
My words are stuck inside my throat,
I struggle but there's no more to say.

And while the Autumn breezes blow,
through the bronzed and wistful trees;
Their sighs will carry our old sweet song,
among the damp and trembling leaves.

Across the world of shattered dreams,
are rain-swept roads toward mountain streams;
Where rocky paths in glittering gold,
entice with wonders to behold.

While dissipating clouds relay,
their ghastly horrors in dismay;
The sun revives its rise to power,
in piercing rays of prickly showers.

Then surrendering to another source,
golden treasures cry out in remorse;
As trickling sounds that reach our ears,
cascade waterfalls of radiant tears.

Growing with hopes that fall between,
the dust that settles from its gleam;
Are broken shards of worthless schemes,
to revise each plan for wealth's regime.

High above the fluttering breeze,
a whispering voice calls out to me;
It's gentle lilt a subtle force,
which stirs my heart to stay on course.

I've often wondered where to look,
inside my mind or in a book;
For answers to the questions of,
each human's search for purest love.

In flowers' vibrant bloom of Spring,
or in the melting mountain springs;
A precious child's engaging smile,
or meeting friends to chat awhile.

As fresh and lovely winds arose,
emotions pure are soon exposed;
And with them regions of the soul,
are bound in honor's sacred goal.

The sun sets earlier now as autumn quickly nears,
with the beauty of this season it saddens me to see;
Each day fly by so quickly with so much life to live,
as I feel my soul sink downward toward melancholy.

The opal days of autumn often give me pause to think,
of how the summer drifts away and bids a sad goodbye;
As images of Fall prevail the solstice memories soon fade,
and sitting on the front porch swing I release a plaintive sigh.

God created every time of year as a lesson for us all,
for Nature moves in steady streams like the ocean over sand;
And if we listen closely to the changing winds and tides,
each element evolves and blends according to His plan.

No matter what the season there's always room for hope,
in the loveliness of flowers, leaves, the earth, the rain and sky;
And a promise of tomorrow travels through our yearning hearts,
which opens doors each moment 'till we say our last goodbye.