I heard a cry in the middle of the night
like it has come across a decade
accusatory and pain-filled
leaving me chilled and wet
who has wanted to make this point?
who other than my own conscious?
I have too many memories suppressed
and some long forgotten
with my focus on the here and now
it was a cry of desperation that awoke me
a cry that signaled out me and my
hapless sense of responsibility to the past –
it was like a strawman’s backbone had been snapped.
who brings this undesired intrusion?
violating my peace of mind
leaving me with piercing headaches
and a troubled hollowness in my soul
echoing endless questions about past conduct,
current responsibilities, future intentions
(more troubled reflections –
I need to better ‘know thyself’
to realize its my own innermost thoughts
that haunt my sleep)
Chris George
From the collection entitled “At 42”
June 2004
