Sometimes...
the lashes rest for a moment's peace
in the quiet of the day
Or lie shuttered tightly
so that pain might go away
and memories too hard to hold
lie hidden...for a time
As when the gentle kisses
bestowed in love...before...
Are replaced by other kisses
that know the way of pain
and loss.
Eyes come to us
downcast beneath a wide grey brim
Then lift
that we may see their soul
and thoughts lying deep within.
Closing,
they turn inward,
listening to the music,
shutting out the sights of all not song
Despite
the thrusting presence
of the lights, the crowds,
they contain it safely,
letting it be free.
And just as free
from time to time
delight and joy pour forth
Showing all is well within
and worlds orbit as they should.
Lifting upwards
toward the sky,
they lie quietly
in the sweetness of the service that we give
to companions on our way
And judge the wind,
taking measure,
experienced eyes...
that know.
Eyes sparkling
with delight
at the fact of knowing,
pleased to know
Aware they know...
what others wish they did.
Or eyes
becoming aware
Of matters
hard to bear,
when what we'd thought
proves all untrue
And sharpness
sharpens...more
For it is not always by our choice
our eyes are closed
Nor yet by our own hand...
That life has come thusly
trampling on our days
Bringing rain-swept realizations
Startling us...
With betrayal
With the half-shadowed bringing to us
Of hidden things, locked in dampened trunks
That wound us mortally
And leave our spirits naked in the rain
Until determination
rises in our eyes
and we are set
upon a certain path
Demanding
not less than all
No matter how worn we be
How strong the desire for home.
And our eyes
focus grimly
on what we have to do...
must do...
Quietly considering...
Its cost.
Going back
was never given as an option
For too much...
...always too much...
Is at stake.
And, so, the self is gathered...
In the ways we know,
the ways that are a part of us,
making us who we are...
Lifting us above ourselves
As we realize
we must do this...alone
Strength sparks in our ready eyes
We have been here...
we know...
Oh, yes...
the knowing
fills the air around
And plans...
too great to comprehend
by those nearby
fill our eyes.
For we have walked in places
so far lost
so desperately alone
The flesh is peeled
from our hearts
And pain beyond enduring
Beyond the realms of thought
Where hope is just a memory
And self is trampled into dust.
So we gird ourselves
in the bright light
of the desert of our lives
Eyes armored...
Sizing up the crowd
Who come to watch the battle
of our souls.
Who send our messages
returned,
headless,
in the mud.
But our hearts
have come to their decision
Our eyes are lifted
toward the sounds of battle
The light
shining brightly
that we might see
Might be aware
Not drifting into sleep
But open fully
Knowing what we know
Despite all that has been asked of us
The horror...
The loneliness..
The remembered pain...
And pain yet to come.
And though we see it looming
With eyes clear...
waiting for the time
We go forward...
forward only...
And battle finds us...
always...
With its cost of pain
With its moments
fierce in the dirt
More fierce in the soul
Where we make our hard decisions
And pay the price of love
With our silent tears
Or thoughts more silent still
And even in the end of it
When enemies lie dying...
And we, ourselves,
Smile quietly at death
Everything revealed
The crowds all won
Long days of waiting over
And we know it to be done
That growing into age
is not a thing
lying in our grasp
We open wide our eyes
to blink away the tears
And in the softly glowing light
Our eyes are clear and whole
For we have known the way of love
Indeed...
And it is in strength
We meet this day
Thoughtful, unafraid
Seeing it come quietly
With a smile in our eyes...
our eyes.
Jo Anzalone