Lost in a Solitude Recess
Lost in a solitude recess of hate,
Seething resentment that will not abate,
Gripping my rod in these time-weathered hands,
Here, in these destitute lands.
Black is the forest in which I retreat,
Chasms and shadows all blacker than peat,
Walking again in the thrall of my pain,
Verily going insane.
Bullied and battered by ravenous words,
Here in the haunt of vociferous birds,
Perched on the branches like spirits of doom,
Banshee like, here in the gloom.
Days all awash with the pall of decay,
Time lapsing visions, the night blurred with day,
Pacing the paths that go into the wild,
Knowing no sweet mercy mild.
Beasts of the forest my kith and my kin,
Hiding away from the cities — their din,
Rueing the sunlight that spills from the sky,
Arrogance blinding mine eye!
Mossy old trunks smelling sweet from the rain,
Redolent wetness to soothe my poor brain,
Tortured by townsfolk who curse me anon,
Trusting no other, but none!
Long meditation in butterfly glades,
Grasses and shadow in flowing charades,
Marching despondent in damned disgrace,
Fever pitch woe on my face.
Spirits are heavy and ghosts whisper doom,
Here in this madness, this emerald tomb,
Visited always by heaven and hell,
Captured in agony’s spell.
Crushing the wicked is never complete,
Here as I wander with muck on my feet,
Longing for Jesus but stranded below,
Crazed in a dark undertow.
Manifold creatures perceive my dismay,
Noting my carriage as I walk their way,
Talking in languages older than time,
Here in this wintery clime.
Bolstered by berries that grow in the shade,
Precious concoctions and cordials made,
Mixing in herbs growing wild in the gloam,
Here in my foresty home.
I am a wight given unto despair,
Sporting my hat over long, matted hair,
Even by night I’m a sad, restless knave,
Here in a world I can’t save.
ADL
adamdaniel 