Ah, dastardly Life, to taunt me so,
to dangle paradise so near,
to gift a glimpse of passion's glow
then cause the Muse to disappear.
You opened wide the drapes of hope
and let me gaze on misty dreams,
you took my hand and led me through
the corridors where love-lust gleams.
I felt the soft caress of breath
that out to shadowed hearts beseech,
and lips that spoke of sensual love,
but all were just beyond my reach.

I saw your eyes entreat my own
to follow you and world be damned;
but as I strained my fingertips
to touch you,  destiny began
to build a wall of haze and stone,
to swirl the darkness into time.
He built a fence of pales and space
so high and deep, I could not climb.
And so, the sun and moon still shine,
the roses bloom and waters run deep;
but Life has placed beyond my grasp
eternity's balm my soul did seek.
     ©   Joyce P. Hale