Vicissitudes Of A Rambling Life Once Lived

I have walked this earth, too oft dying of thirst
through and within vast herds of men, vast pools of stain
bearing melancholy blues, heart about to burst,
chasing elusive treasures, seeing ghosts once slain
master of nothing, seeking that bright, golden mean
opining in black ink pages, seeking soul's reprieve
lonely vagabond, since wild youth and early teens,
vigilant against those rascals born to deceive.

I have in time, with prideful sin fought to be first
took the hardest of trails, making life my own way
with trials of love, red blood lusts of war, which is worse
winter's hard frozen dawns or saddest end of day
crying for lost lover, bitter agony found
steeped in romance, a gambling fool for passion's might
with my bare feet tied and oft with hands firmly bound,
stranger in my own darkness, one blinded of sight.

I have my sights set on living with undue haste
waded through malignant streams of rampaging dread
discovered love truest waters and sought not to waste
walked the true walk, buried hope's premature dead
carried impaling weight, of vivid dreams gone wrong
ran with the hungry wolves, ate with the angry horde
broke gentle hearts and wept hearing saddest of song
barked at the moon and paid dues I could ill afford.

I have walked this earth, too oft dying of thirst
through and within vast herds of men, vast pools of stain
bearing melancholy blues, heart about to burst,
chasing elusive treasures, seeing ghosts once slain
master of nothing, seeking that bright, golden mean
opining in black ink pages, seeking soul's reprieve
lonely vagabond, since wild youth and early teens,
vigilant against those rascals born to deceive.


Robert J. Lindley, 7-16-2020
Rhyme, ( From Perils And Triumphs Of Mortal Flesh )

Syllables Per Line:
0 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
0 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
0 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
0 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Total # Syllables:384
Total # Words::::282

Note:
O' to be young again, with knowledge now gained
O' to be innocent again, no longer stained
O' to be healthy again, a man of my own
O' to be free again, absent ill seeds once sown.

And in his dreams, the well was always full and clear
And in his pains and sorrows, no longer deep fear
And in his heart again, darkness forever gone
And in his life, no more sky fallen crushing stones.


Copyright © Robert Lindley | Year Posted 2020