Storms I know. Frothy waves rising up
and the fury of a wild and wayward wind.

  Give me the daunting challenge.
  Give me the impossible dream.

I'll cast all cares aside and dare to ride
out uncertain times in loose arms of sea and sky. 
Live or die, I raise my flag a banner high
and stand firm for what I know by heart.

*

Silence unsettles me. A creeping sadness
without words stills me in unseen stupor.

   Take now thin vapor of vacillation.
   Take now methane of mediocrity.

I cannot bear thick chains of slow reality
that clamps its teeth of days, swallows bloodied soul.
Die or live, I lay down my arms, so tired now,
and as a feather fall into shadow of self.

*

Miles across the heartland, gentle river beckons,
bids me now awaken, coos of waiting spring.

   Rise and walk to joy. Don't leave.
   Rise and walk. Stay with me.

Tears fall. Heart quickens at thought of hope
that I know remains mere distant echo and never
flows to me. Live or die, I drink and follow
through the haze, believing anyway.