and another voice.....not quiet any longer

What voice is this

That says, Stop

Give up now

Just fall in line

What spirit is this

That urges me on

To fall again

And rise bloodied

What hope is this

That pierces the dark

Rails against fear

Pushes beyond pain

What love is this

That feels every hurt

Hates to leave

Wants to hug

What life is this

But ours to keep on

Taking each breath

Each step beyond

Uncertain

Unclear

Unforgiven

poems belatedly shining out

I was going through a pile of papers this week and found two poems I'd written some time ago - one very clearly last August when a particular problem was gripping. Somehow I'd forgotten to type them up and certainly hadn't published them. So, here's the missing works.

How much is toothache

A reflection of inner turmoil?

Can those searing pains

Speak of nerves a-tingle?

What inner screams are held

Where words fail to soothe

As gas gurgles within

So thoughts bubble and splutter

The inner churning goes on

Jaw aflame

Nerves twanging in torment

The prayer rises

Begging for sweet relief

The clock ticks on

As the body awaits

Potion or peace

do dreams matter?

What a question. Of course they matter. Where would we be if we didn't have dreams? Somewhere darker, more dreary, less hopeful for sure. What would get us through those darker days?

And yet, sometimes I wake from a weird dream, wondering what was that all about? Some say dreams are just our brains making space to store memories. Others say it's a fantasy world peeking out. (I'm suddenly reminded of the scene in Men in Black when the locker is opened to reveal..... well, I won't spoil it if you haven't seen that film yet.) Well, then there's those who say - no, our dreams are foretelling our future. Who really knows?

Yes, OK, so I'm cheating - talking about dreams as hopes in the same way as what happens when we're asleep. But then, it is the same word, isn't it?

I dream
I wake
who can tell which is more real?