Memory Deceves

Memory Deceives

(“Everything seemed to go his way. But then the strength and success went to his head. Arrogant and proud, he fell.” 2 Chronicles 26:16a [The Message])

Deep within fascinating sleep between
interruptions of volcanic dreams there are footsteps
that like to scheme slight radicals for the slumberer’s benefit.

Taking night as if they owned it between their arms,
directing the stars as if they were marionette strings,
the rearrange the joy the single soul found
and turn it around into grief over laughing.

One sleep and the singing is gone,
one week and severance is complete,
a month and memory deceives every
reasonable smile.

Deep within well-meaning the waters have neither
sun nor manifest reflection, only muscled redemption
rock slimy.

Taking the morning as countless as always,
hoping it will speak without devices but plainly
like sun on the sand or rain throughout the forest,
joy may have been stolen by

Someone stalking the night possessed of intentions to
turn the town, squeeze the heart, scrub the sin
and win it all with a parade naming

The new Great Awakening. The label
written in the dark, now illegible to the sleeper
who only hoped to keep the joy just one
song longer.