Somewhere Then, Somewhat Now

I was buried in tears, affected with anger, given pain for

resistance. Kisses posed as poison, covered in icicles. I

grieved for souls, remailed to sorrow, suffering a torch of

anguish. What was such plight? a sullen fragrance, semi-

unsound, pondering desert tents. Calamity threshes both

mind and soul, where Songs of Songs offers comfort. I

couldn’t flee a midnight chain, ever optimistic, searching

the texture of draperies. I longed for a sign, something to

convince me of joy, even tolerance. A noonday sun

sparked a light, where circumstance remained similar to

yesterday. I spoke forgiveness, unable to see forgiveness.

I couldn’t fathom hurt, intentional slight, to witness one

dying through smiles. It was ever a mystery, fraught with

ambiguity, grieving from cheek to cheek. What do we

give: love for hate; tears for pain; or arms for distance? I

ask, familiar with discomfort, mourning in a banquet hall.