Charmed Chaos

“The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” 
― Robert Frost

(Sands in the Hourglass)

We age onwards
through obscure dark
through unwavering light
always looking back
to the way we were.

But now there is no doubt
that life is running fast
sands in the hourglass
and we are running too
without any view or clues
of what we are running to.

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Kenia Santos is guest hosting at Toads today and has asked we pick a song from the list and write an untitled poem. I chose ‘We Age Onwards – Circadian Eyes.’ Imaginary Garden With Real Toads: A Guest Appearance from Kenia Santos

Also linking to dVerse for OLN

Those in-between moments when the mirror is clear
are like chasing black crows in my flying dreams
with my piercing eagle eyes shining in bright haze.
I fear I am much too fond of this thing we call love
So I soar above the bitterness in this tormented world
For these are troubling times of intense sorrow.

I know tomorrow’s news will come, and so will sorrow
but the longer I live, our future becomes less clear
for there is a torrent of chaotic madness in this world.
So I will lie down on a grassy knoll, watch clouds drift by, dream
of a more peaceful earth washed in a river of pure love
not overshadowed by mankind’s stifling haze.

Once the air is thick, and we’re smothered in the haze
and the sky cries murky tears in the wake of sorrow,
the blackness of hate overcomes, drowning love.
When a true path forward becomes lost, unclear
dashed will be all bright hopes, all sweet dreams
of living in a vibrant yet tranquil world.

With each phase of the moon, each turn of this world
I fear there is no escape from this vile haze.
I am content to live in my vivid dreams
where indifference is unwelcome, and so is sorrow.
For in this place I create, the air is sweet and clear
And everyone understands the true meaning of love.

And though I know I am much too fond of love
For I’ve created an imagined utopian world
where happiness reigns and the fragrant air is clear.
I have banished from my home the thick black haze
For here there is no place for tears and sorrow
But only the brightest most hopeful dreams.

So I will continue to create a place of dreams
And write of goodness and peace and love
for there is already much too much sorrow.
Gone the hope of bright tomorrows in this world
For there will always be evil’s insidious haze
that incites the fear, feeding a future that’s unclear.

For now I’ll live in my dreams, not in this dismal world
where love is love is love, free of the shadowy haze
and no sorrow presides when the mirror is clear.

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Author’s Note: This is my second attempt at a Sestina for tonight’s Poetics at dVerse. Also linking to the Tuesday Platform at Toads.