Awakening, Suddenly... Poem by Louie Levy

...having slept through some portion of my life..
dreams lost by a conscious memory, pain and
joy still present somewhat relieved, having
awakened for another day.

A fresh new start...
Now, my children have grown and; 'i', alone
at last...

At last, when there are not infant cries
demanding attentiveness, no longer a sound,
no longer..their mother to nurse their hunger for life.

At last...they will know of the love that parenthood
had nurtured for their bodies, chosen for their spirits...
'i', alone at last, free spirited and aged like some
ripened grape fermentiing in a cask whose seed had
long been planted and; now making ready more on its vine,
like wine, am i better in lifes vintage state?

Who will now sip of my dryness, of fermenting fruit?
Tasting pains of lifes bitter finale...

Left with spent spirit,
imprisoned in glass confinement,
uncorked and consumed without regard...

(c) 1987