Roads-002

If I Could Choose

Don't remember me to yesterday,

a time:

Of pain when insane.

Of ghosts better to forget.

Of deeds I regret

but cannot be undone

and of those best left unsung.

Of dreams lost at bitter cost.

Of trust

deader than the dust.

Of loneliness and black despair

with none to care.

Of hope

crying and dying

on the falseness of lips that spoke.

All these were mine.

Don't promise me tomorrow,

so threaten illusion and sorrow:

A watery mirage on shimmering sand.

A sleight of hand conjuring nothing grand.

A rainbow ebbing to teach

each that reach.

A beacon to fade away

like the fleeing freedom of slaves at bay.

Bright dreams to darken into yesterday.

Let me have just today,

minute by minute with these in it:

The birds awakening to the dawn.

The veils of mist rising in the early morn.

The dew drops gleaming.

The sunlight beaming.

The noon breeze sighing

with the sun dying.

The deepening twilight

heralding the night.

The strengthening evening star

not too far.

The children in bed sleeping

and no one weeping

and God the friend keeping

watch over time drifting away.

Give me just today.