Passage

I stare
Dark portrait
Looms in the hallway
Speaks of this passage

Its meaning I have weighed
More of late
Through hours of somnolence

Features elaborate
They glow
With meagre radiance

My leisure in pretense
Resembles
The dread they obfuscate

Indeed
The dread writhes on
I sense I am but all alone

In ghostlike movement
I turn away again
Never letting them get too close and inquiring
Absolved of guilt while weeping quietly
A place for repose since youth
Take refuge 'twixt sheets of shade and dew
Where poetries and theories of hell
Are all laid bare in lucid grace

Feeble am I
Beneath the guise
Wanting nothing
But this pain to last

The garden rests
'Neath a nightly gleam
Beckoning, welcoming

Here I can berth
Listen to the words
Buried for centuries

Wear the mask of Janus
Wishing to govern time
Keep the gates locked in wait

Vagrancy of mind
The promise of musing
Lets me fare by land and sea
Yet no lanterns there for me

Free from the contested
Libertine in darkness

Residence of flesh
The route of choosing
Has me bracing for distress
Knowing I will have solace

Then forever able
In an earthly cradle

Soon the cold will come here
Swirling, burning caress
Wake me from my slumber
Persuade where I falter

Though draconian years have pined
Hurt stays my bread and wine
Escapades of vain delight
Soothe not like tears sublime

Make this scar a coat of arms
Keepsake from battles past
Wisdom gathered from the rage
Gave me calm, built me space
Leads me back in dialogue
With the voice in the hall

Its meaning I have weighed
More of late
Through hours of somnolence

Figures communicate
Tell of a rueful revenant

My labour in honour
Will wear out
And force me to the ground

Oh, dread
The dread is mine
I know I am but all alone

In ghostlike movement
I turn away again
Never letting them get too close and inquiring
Absolved of guilt while weeping quietly
A place for repose since youth
Take refuge 'twixt sheets of shade and dew
Where poetries and theories of hell
Are all laid bare in lucid grace

Je puis me persuader
D'avoir été fait tel par la nature
Que je puisse aisément me tromper
Même dans les choses que je crois comprendre
Avec le plus d'évidence et de certitude
(René Descartes - Méditations Métaphysiques)

Dogs of war
Chased day and night
Bloodlust drove the nails of spite

Will I ever forget
Is there any way
Any way at all
Any way at all
Any way at all
Any way at all
Is there any way
Will I ever forget

Soon the cold will come here
Swirling, burning caress
Wake me from my slumber
Persuade where I falter

Though draconian years have pined
Hurt stays my bread and wine
Escapades of vain delight
Soothe not like tears sublime

Make this scar a coat of arms
Keepsake from battles past
Wisdom gathered from the rage
Gave me calm, built me space
Leads me back in dialogue
With the voice in the hall