The bounds of nature man knows not
when one lesson learned
another begins
to challenge that which is known
and stays cloaked in mystery
for each generation to pass
and touch on that spirit
which will lead to eternal rest.

Butterflies can dance
you saw them as a child
on clear day of blue sky
and wind tossed hair
and sweet, cold scents
in early, early spring
before green grass grew too high
and days took naps
with aged hearts
you remember that butterflies can dance.

Obscured message left
on dusty window
undefined words written
by some ghostly hand
silhouette never seen
veiled by passing time
abridged meaning in smeared letters,
catching eyes of those lost and lonely
slowly erased by time.

Antiquity a matter of possession
strategic use by those placed above
Pilgrims who march with silent doubts
Saint George waits inside cold, cold tomb
Sepulchre to all that was and will be
rival to basic human nature
this Genesis to all beginnings
painted on walls and ceilings
a belief in more than self
ever changing to justify desire
ever cruel to what's understood
this error of greatest paths
to those who believe only in tombs.

Jerusalem stands above all passions
a city among cities
which bears testament to time
true worshipers await the return
crusading against the status quo
called to the holy city
filled with such woe
as stone and brick are marked
left by tears and sorrow
for tarnished dreams will never bring praise
but the kingdom of faith will rock
foundations
and bring all men to their knees.

Prejudice binds the heart
shrouding all of Christendom
in darkness and underlying sin
while spirits seek only truth
festering deep within the womb
waiting for time to shed its sorrow,
Is there no initiation,
Into worldly ways?
Lost and forgotten all who've been before,
retreating into shadows
when there's knocking on that door
summoned by a power
that built the gates of time
offering a key to heaven
if lives spent in grace
have truly done no harm.

Peaceful times remembered when
abducted by reality and
all connecting dreams, perhaps
to resist, the present, found
in some imperial charm
gives homage to those isolated
by poverty and pain
for many are born into suffering
in this revengeful world
and die before they live
in wasted days of longing
for someone else to lead the way.

A dream never to remember
we all have known
did not reason
forgot to awake
the dark shadow stands there
on the threshold of remorse
but none dare ask him in
reaching for the light
without a moments wonder
as fear reigns the darkness
and passed this way before
to isolate the dreamer
and fill the heart with dread.

Ideal setting found in nature
stages set for each season
all characters in this plot
minor trial of endurance
tossing, turning like autumn leaves
as if sleeping in a lion's den
for time's jaws will collapse
and catch the natives dancing
for they've prayed away their fears.

Souls wonder why
God in all his glory
made man so imperfect
plain faces to deal with beauty
bodies to stones in weight
while some too thin
wind swept hair and marked skin
some to catch admiration
while those so perfect
have never wept
on lonely nights
or have dreams dashed
upon pavement so cold
for others to take notice of
casting doubts into eternity
and always to wonder why
God in all his glory
made life such a lie.

Birds chirping on sultry, summer's day,
stingy breeze to tease
sun and clouds play hide and seek
and soulful eyes seek out relief
passing this day in memory
when summer's way was not as hot
or so remembered
and there was kindness and simple dreams
for all who cared to believe
so this day will fade too soon
but not to be fondly recalled
for it's nameless faces now
and mind numbing existence
lived in isolated room
that greeted the arrival of
this new summer's day
for it's here we've come to age.

Spoke the wind to me
ever so gentle
ever so sweet
into my ear one fragrant afternoon,
when no one was near
whispers told of truth
for golden vision
crept into my heart
time the enemy for
lives led vainly,
the bounds of nature,
this avenger for the mild and meek,
so trees, dressed in greenery,
danced with invisible partners
and all whispers came back to me
"Nothing ever ends but the pain of what
we've been."