Where did I find peace?
Did I find it in the warm walls,
Away from the sting of the cold,
Under the blankets and next to the fire?
Did I find it in reprieve from thorns?
In the four walls of brick,
Where the shadows were kept outside
Away from my delicate flesh?
Did I find it where I was freed from worry?
Where the gold was plentiful
Where food was on my table
And the wine wasn’t cheap?
I searched and I searched
But peace was not there.
I found peace away from the warm walls
Away from the bricks and deep in the shadow.
Worried and gnawing and scratching and clawing,
Peace was buried in the ash and the dirt.
Peace in a land where men wanted me dead,
But a few around me would not have it.
And peace most profound
When my life was offered upward.
Chills – enough said.
Thank you!
Funny (odd not haha) how one can find peace in chaos, but when left alone with thoughts it proves to be harder if not impossible. One would think it would be the exact opposite. Very thought provoking piece, Luke.
You know — you’re absolutely right, and I think many Americans believe it’s the opposite. But that’s why many of us are plagued with discontent day after day.
And as I mentioned elsewhere on here, I think I found this sort of peace among the difficult places presented to me in combat. But I believe this sort peace can be found elsewhere, it just takes going outside your comfort zone.
Yeah Luke,
that’s a thing I have best left no longer trying to explain.
geo
Always a pleasure to have you on here, both writing and reading. Seriously.
Luke,
I read this twice last night, this morning and again just now. To me poetry is the most personal form of self-expression. It doesn’t come to me instantly, I need to let my mind and heart interpret the authors meaning, which is difficult until you get to know the author through his/her writing. Your poetry is beginning to give me visions, both darkness and brightness, if that makes sense.
Wow, thank you! It does make sense, and I believe very strongly in light and dark — aka good and evil, and that they live within all of us. It’s up to us to decide which we feed
Wow! Legit.
Thanks!
Well articulated. I can relate to the feeling- combat and prior to a jump have been the only time I felt the euphoric serenity…
Haha, man I share the sentiment but I always hated jumping. Well, I hated it just before I jumped, I loved falling and gliding down and the feeling after a safe landing. Anticipation is not my favorite thing… I would rather be in a battle than on the precipice of one!
But thank you for your kind words, and yeah I think as terrible as combat is, there are some things that become abundantly clear when you’re in the middle of it.
Luke-Many years from now you will remember those times, but you will find peace elsewhere.
Thank you!
I have found peace since then — but always, always outside my comfort zone. I don’t have to go to combat to find a realm outside my comfort zone.