Lessons of Time

 

In the naive days

Of my eternal twenties

I walked by

A barren field.

 

I stopped to linger

For something bid me stay.

It was there

Waiting to grow.

 

Gingerly I stopped,

Put my hand

Onto the ground.

A million pulses I felt.

 

Blindly, I walked on

Coming back sometimes.

I was drawn;

The feeling was strong.

 

Busy, busy days pushed

My life on down the road.

I longed though

To be back there.

 

Fast days turn to years,

Cultivating nothing but dreams

Haunted yet,

And learning why.

 

Time is my teacher

And I know I must go back.

Hurry on back

Down that road.

 

Imagine my great surprise

To find this barren field

Growing lush----

It couldn't be!

 

It was another who

Took the time to plant,

To water,

To love and care.

 

I once had the chance

But my visions were clouded

With the mist

Of insecurity.

 

How I sobbed and cried.

Such great lessons I have learned,

To do what?

Where do I go?

 

I must step lightly----

No----to run my fingers through

The rich, moist,

Newly fertile land.

 

I must be allowed to

At least experience

What I passed

So long before.

 

It was not for me.

Perhaps tomorrow I'll know why.

But my eyes

Now open with love.

 

 

B. Benjamin                                                                                         

BBP88