The Long Hard Wait

He stood before him in shadow and Might Holding forth a hand “Come,” he spoke,” walk with me a while” “For far is your way and dark is the land” The other looked back at the shattered rack That lay at his feet “No” I must wait for one final kiss Of mortal man” “What good can it do to prolong this When I can cure this soaring bane Look, see what joy could be yours If you release yourself from deadly pain.” “No,” the man replied, “Not yet There is time yet to wait your claim” Then from under this cowl He drew The thread that kept him still Thin cord, worn and frayed Small comfort for the strength of will “Not yet cut. So leave me be” He begged and  turned away What did you think being by His side Of lives lived and desires spent When the essence of death beckoned How could you refuse such legacy Just to wait for us To bless your progeny “Show me”, he asked, as walk they did “The mysteries I have left behind” “Those loves I had” “Those treasures still to find” So to a higher plane they rose To gaze at the great vista of dying life “What good is it to see?” The mighty one asked, “No peace can you find in dying self “For Mystery is the flickering light” “Of eternal flight and fleeting death” He gazed at the hidden visage And stirred himself for desperate fight. “Who is God? Son of Satan Or his silent twin For who racked my body thus Twisting deadly knife inside Pain to strong to let me die But still live I must Not yet your word I trust” “In this world of Good How can evil rule? How can Goodness allow My pain and evil mood? Why do we live If death is the final prize? Answer me, Death. Would you tell me if you could? Then Sudden pain grabbed him strong Dragged him down to realm of man No drug induced sleep could hide The searing scream welling from his side For I held his hand And wiped the sweat from his brow I thanked him then And told him I loved him Spoke of every triumph I had known Said every word I had never said To the man who made me whole His eye held me in his gaze As he left with mighty Death Two days he waited for me The greatest gift ever received. Written January 30th, 2002 © on Jan 30 2002 07:55 AM PST   10 • 0 • 1