Distant

Once, long ago

And far, far away,

Among memories now faded gray,

Life was sweet, bitter, rich;

A mosaic, full of sunsets, vibrant violet hues

Darkened as the day gave way to night

Beside that secluded little lake.

I remember denim and lace,

Pungent aromas, sensual perfume.

Cricket legs sawing, acorns falling,

Fire crackled and popped.

My Calloused fingers caressed silken skin,

Circled the sunken naval,

Traced the bulging line of demarcation

About the swollen bosom,

Glistening like dew

Beneath a milky moon,

Showered by its ghostly glow,

The cry of a wild loon

Muffled by my mouth pressed against her lips,

Tasting her sweat.

I savored those moments,

Drank deep the wine of youth,

Praised God for gracious gifts.

But now she’s gone and the world is cold, colorless.

Pain cast down the heavens to hell,

Heaved and pulled the axis of my life

Off kilter.

My mind now out of joint,

Passion eviscerated,

Thankfulness dismayed,

Joy far removed,

I lie in limbo between the high and lowest low,

Frustrated,

My anger, impotent, smoldering ash.

The loss too much, I fled,

Abandoned all burden, all risk,

Embraced a world shrouded in mist,

A chilling blanket wrapped tight,

My heart numb,

Separated from love, from God;

Alone, afraid,

So far away from where I used to be,

So distant…