This poem is taken from my book

'From Darkness to Light'.

Curtain of memory

Time's long curtain forms a shield

Memories hidden behind its folds

Sometimes we need to look to learn

What treasures its mystery holds

Like a theatre curtain opening

A scene replays within the mind

What is relevant to remember now?

What does the audience find?

There are scenes that are so awful

It would be easier not to look

Yet these pictures from the past are

Now but old pages in a book

Hypocrisy is built into the scenes

It stands like a crumbling tower

The tall and strong wield cruelty

Using arms and hands with power

Yet small wraiths of kindness

Emerge from each theatre wing

Appearing - dressed in shining clothes

Just listen - as quiet voices sing

As I watch, I listen to the theme

Repeated – time and time again

Endurance, pain and courage

Behind the curtain a lot to gain

Jewels to be gathered and stored

From the dross of evil's power

After suffering comes peacefulness

A theme of joy in the final hour

We can only learn from the memories

As we cannot change those faces

But we can learn to leave the dark

Move forward - to warm and light places

 Poem copyrightACoatesworth2009