A DAY IN ETERNITY

A DAY IN ETERNITY
By

Sandra Osborne

Seasons change,
the years roll by
as some men live
and some men die.
In the scorching midday sun
many battles are lost but some are won.
Sorrows and joys soon turn to dust
when in the end the shadow of night falls
on everything as it must
as one more day in eternity passes.

I ponder the meaning of life
as I lie silently upon my bed at night.
soon I am startled by the barn owl
as it soulfully hoots outside
my bedroom window.
The neighbourhood stray barks a warning
and the owl veers off into the darkness
as yawning as the grave.

The chowkidars begin their midnight watch
whistles blowing, sticks clacking on the beaten path.
It is going to be a long night.
I shiver suddenly, but it is okay,
just my normal sort of day
as the earth spins and robs me of yet another day with you.

I wonder as the new dawn approaches
at the April bloodshot sky
and the eerie tableau below it;
at the sole coconut tree standing sentinel
to a lone date palm,
spectral, with fronds bent and swaying
reaching out to a ghostly passing breeze.

Rows of windows face me
shuttered like the inhabitants inside those buildings.
and for the moment the world is at peace;
the sky filled with promise of a new day,
a new hope.

You walk into my mind and linger
even as I watch breathless
at the beauty of the full moon
in the western sky,
shining like a giant silver dollar
but now rapidly tinging red in shame
as the sun's blinding rays light up the day.

Just you, me and the Almighty
where time stands still and
the earth seems to meet the sky.
In the hush of the early dawn
I give thanks to God in generous measure.
To be blessed to witness His power and glory
fills me with secret pleasure.

The air suddenly fills with the sweet song
of a myriad awakening birds,
but sleep still alludes me as I watch
a couple of neighbours jog into sight;
one obese, in sweaty tee shirt and shorts;
the other silver-haired, in cotton sari,
sneakers and socks!

No rain falls to curtain off this perfect vista.
Just a chill in the air heralds a drop in temperature.
And in the distance the whistle of a train seems to rejoice
this new day, that may be spared the daily horrors;
perchance left to revel in the joys.

Why the disbelief dear soul?
Do you not have faith in our city of joy?
Perhaps today a child will not be molested by his tutor,
nor an elderly man be mowed down by a drunken driver.
Your lights and fans will work fine
and so will your community
as peace prevails amongst the organisers
of your local nakabandi.
And lovers shall meet at their favourite café or park.
God willing, you too, will perhaps, call now
and make life remarkable, not stark.

Well do I remember and much do I miss of you.
Like colourful images the tiny details
of well manicured nails,
or the new blue discount shirt
creased from the packing
but eagerly and elegantly worn by you
without the ironing,
fills my mind with delight.

I recall the small, neat, precise handwriting;
the shy, dimpled smile.
You wore your muted ties with style
and your virtues with admirable grace.
I miss that brilliant gaze of yours
that melted each and every bone.
Love  how you can vary your voice to a low, gentle,
excited or a reasoning tone.

Pity though you could never sense
the passion that flows through my veins
or hear my heart shreik your name in longing
through summer, winter and monsoon rains.

Wrapped up in your structured, specialist world;
accomplished, knowledgeable with an analytical mind
you see each tree and you know your way around the woods.
I've seen the fire in your eyes
and the hunger in your soul
for that tough bottom line.
the corporate value creation.

Rest probably eludes your nervous
and highly mental nature I suspect
as you work thru your systematic understanding
and development of ideas or a concept.
R & D and balance sheets & marketing, your milieu,
you are not overly concerned when your friends
bid you adieu.
So then why do I remain so true?
Perhaps you can point the way to a management book or two
that lists 7 easy steps to follow in order to forget you!

You see one step or two will just not do,
I need a very many more to erase the unforgettable you!
while the words will wax eloquent
and the graphics catch the eye
I know you are sheltered inside of me
until the day I die.

Precious memories like treasured gems,
much loved moments and a soft, caring voice
binds me eternally to a flame called love.
Replacement of thoughts does not help me forget
when desire burns as bright as the day we met.

So as seasons change from green to gold
and sometimes to dreary grey or wintry icy blue
I am so tragically aware
that you are unaware
that I need your loving too.

What a wonderful world god has given us,
the birds in the air, the fish in the sea
and beauty as far as I can see;
the freedom to do my share
pay my dues, choose my role models
back my heroes
and show confidence and humility too.
some friendship bands,
a journey through strange lands
a family so true.
when so much loving and giving went into the process
how come he forgot I needed you?

We met for better, not worse
and parted to chase our individual rainbows.
The past is banished without ado
when the mind is set on futuristic mode
yet our spirits are bound from dawn to dawn
as the heart that loves goes on.
And through it all with patience stands the god of eternity
watching time weave into perfection our preordained destiny.

<< Back