Poem #2

[Brittany]

It seems like I express my thoughts so much easier through verse than prose.

The concept of loving my enemy has been on my mind a great deal lately. My thoughts on the negative path tend to be scattered everywhere, yet somehow the fragments come together in this poem.

Contemplation of a Brother

As the night around us gathers
drawn into the inky black,
I can sense you in the shadows,
feel your eyes upon my back,
and I wonder how it feels now
to be walking in your shoes
as you tread within this darkness,
what does darkness mean to you?

Does this pain and this fear
and this silence give you pleasure?
Is this what makes you at peace
in your heart, measure for measure?
Is this truly your true calling,
is it what gives you pride?
Do you know who you are?
Who do you have to guide
you through sorrow and grief...
Are you all on your own?
Where do you find this courage
to face the world alone?

I watch and I wait,
but you won’t step into the light.
All I see of your face
is the eyes that now fight
to pull me into the dark,
to extinguish my spark,
and if you succeeded
would I be caught in your arms,
tangled there in the night,
in our mingling breath,
all the contrasts in life
somehow melded in death?

How would that feel to you,
and does it make you cry
when I have to resist,
when I must bid you goodbye?
When I push you away
does my hate make your day?
Is my fear a sweet taste?
Do you wish I would stay?

I was once on that path
and we shared the same goals,
yet I cannot remember
all the joy you behold
when you turn to the dark
and you close up your heart
and you make your eyes hard...
I can’t remember
but it’s written in the stars.

So I contemplate you,
dark brother of mine,
for I know now that somewhere
our hearts are entwined.
I would never pull you to the light,
watch the brightness scorch your eyes,
nor would I even ask to hear your voice.
It’s no privilege of mine
to say that you’ve fallen behind
when there’s such a wealth of meaning
contained within that Choice.

To say I love you as you are
is the best that I can give.
To say I think that you are perfect
simply since you choose to live-
that in no way do I judge you
though at times I must forgive...
This is all I have to offer,
as my path I try to live,
and yet...

If ever in the night
you find that you’re in pain...
If some spark within your heart
makes you suddenly see gain
in braving the light
for one second in time,
simply ask and I’ll be by your side.

If you want a hand to hold
for one step upon the road,
if for but just a moment
you grow tired of dark and cold,
and you’d like the softest voice
to whisper of the love of old,
I swear I would not hesitate
to help you bear this load.

I can’t pretend to understand
what goes on in your head,
and I would never have the pride
to say I know what makes you smile,
and I have no right to judge
or to dictate what you need,
but just in case against all odds
you decide you’d like company for a while...

Just ask.
I’ll be there.
I don’t care
who we are,
what we do
me and you
we are one,
and no matter how far we travel
we’ve only just begun,
and if somehow your hate
just gives way to despair,
seek me out in the twilight.
Call my name.
I’ll be there.

[Questioner]

Beautiful.

I've nothing to add.

Thank you.

[ayadew]

I can see where you're coming from... this was just what I needed to hear at this moment
I wish our dark brothers well on their path

[Peregrinus]

Is not the enemy, the darkness you speak of, within thine self?

[Brittany]

The darkness is everywhere as much as the light. I've had to contend with my own doubts just as much if not more than I've had to deal with unwanted advances from negative entities. In the end it's all the same. It doesn't really matter if the darkness comes from within or without, because we are all one and the response should be the same regardless. Love. Love yourself. Love your friends. Love your enemies. Love everyone, and there isn't a base that you haven't got covered.

Ayadew, isn't it cool how sometimes the universe just plops what you are needing to hear into your lap? The other day I was at the store and just happened to glance over and see a new CD by a band I didn't realize existed anymore. When I took it home and listened to the words, it was like they had been written just for me, and were pertaining to my exact situation. It made me wonder if maybe, just maybe, that band was inspired to write those words just for me- if the entire universe lined up all so at that moment I could hear what I needed to hear. Makes you wonder...

[Peregrinus]

... if the entire universe lined up all so at that moment I could hear what I needed to hear.

It is most definitely.