The Wilderness
In my time of understanding
I've seen many failings
they've been death to life
and have cursed the wild things within me
I have roamed amongst them and they've known me not
yet I have joined in the hunt and it has brought me low
I harrow from deep within and have spilt much blood
I have toiled in fertile fields and seen them barren
a reckoning has parched my soil to dust whence I came
I long for healing rain so I may stand beneath
renew my growing and my soil reclaim
I have reached out to the universe and it has shown
me silence
I have pled my case before man
and witnessed only a prevaricator's judgment
as holy creed
in my time of understanding
I know not whence wisdom comes
I sought it in the dark places that showed me
only delirium without meaning
I sought it in places aflame with prurience
and have seen the longing empty flesh
and theft of beauty
I sought it in the things which move men to covet
and have seen their hunger rending
I sought it in the powers and movements of the day
and have seen consuming baseness
without equal
I sought it in the wounded
and have seen only the bitterness of blame
with no communion of souls
I sought it within mine own spirit
only to haunt
the ruins of its wilderness
where can I seek to find this knowing?
in my time of understanding
I need only this guidance
and I will forsake all careless abandon
cast down my wants and attend
I've seen many failings
they've been death to life
and have cursed the wild things within me
I have roamed amongst them and they've known me not
yet I have joined in the hunt and it has brought me low
I harrow from deep within and have spilt much blood
I have toiled in fertile fields and seen them barren
a reckoning has parched my soil to dust whence I came
I long for healing rain so I may stand beneath
renew my growing and my soil reclaim
I have reached out to the universe and it has shown
me silence
I have pled my case before man
and witnessed only a prevaricator's judgment
as holy creed
in my time of understanding
I know not whence wisdom comes
I sought it in the dark places that showed me
only delirium without meaning
I sought it in places aflame with prurience
and have seen the longing empty flesh
and theft of beauty
I sought it in the things which move men to covet
and have seen their hunger rending
I sought it in the powers and movements of the day
and have seen consuming baseness
without equal
I sought it in the wounded
and have seen only the bitterness of blame
with no communion of souls
I sought it within mine own spirit
only to haunt
the ruins of its wilderness
where can I seek to find this knowing?
in my time of understanding
I need only this guidance
and I will forsake all careless abandon
cast down my wants and attend
Written by Scott Schoffstall
© February 12, 2011
all rights reserved
http://www.poeticsojourn.com/the-sojourner.html
© February 12, 2011
all rights reserved
http://www.poeticsojourn.com/the-sojourner.html