HEARTBEATS
I
Lost in pale darkness
of a wasteland desolation
surrounding me totally
the only sound-- my heart
Heartbeats in a silent land
ticking away like a clock
thump-thump tic-toc
which way through the desert sand
What choice do I make
what chance do I take
do I keep silent or do I talk
about the feelings I hold secret
Or do I speak
of the feelings aloud
do I boldly seek
love so bold, so proud
Heartbeats in the dark
alone, friendless a cry
looking for some spark
of light, of hope
Echoes of sound thump thump
faint at first, then louder
a twin heartbeat to mine
struggling to find some light
in their darkest night
I want to help out
try to see a way through
but heartbeats in the dark
are alone fighting for some life
Heartbeats in the dark
pain, like silver daggers piercing,
cutting into the heart of hearts
as the heartbeats slow down
Then light flares anew
hope rekindled showing a memory
of a girl I once knew
as the heartbeats are reborn
Life, love, happiness
just parts of the heart
heartbeats are still growing
building strength from a new source
II
Heartbeats-- sounds of love
surrounds a young man
his dream girl is above
they work on wedding plans
but he needs a starting shove
Heartbeats-- showing he cares
what will happen in his game
breathing her scent in the airs
knowing nothing will be the same
their heartbeats they will share
III
Lifetimes pass as dreams
where a space of eternity
is not as it seems
silence lets me be
In the quiet of night heartbeats rise
love trickles to a start
this is life's seat
blessings from the heart
Love is a power from above
secret to the ways of life
it flies like a snow white dove
but also cuts like a knife
Heartbeats in a silent void
whispering of hope and promise
love should not be avoid
nurture it and let love raise
Love is a mighty power
that grows into a life of itself
strong as a mighty tower
yet gentle as a lamb
In the silence where love
begins giving proof with heartbeats
with a warming of the soul
and a laugh straight from the heart
Paul Vernon Deffendall
November 8, 1994
PREVIOUS POEM NEXT POEMBACK TO FADED GLORY
