Higher Undertakings Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

When the shores of life pass over me, I will appear on distant
horizons, feelings being smoothed and ironed out, with only
peaceful darkness inside for life does not penetrate it's early
guise.

Softly melodic, following tendencies towards higher undertakings,
sanctioned ceremoniously with rites of mourning, servicing the
dictates of a certain few.

Marching to different drummers at the exact same time, enjoying
the flavor, melodies become, walking forward, looking to new
forms and shapes of things to come, out from the shadows horrors rise, taking life outside itself.

Felicitously taking in every desire, yearning to turn all hated
memories around, spinning like a top in all directions, trying
to shake them off.

Sending away shapes, standing in doorways looking to take life
and bury it in cellars, along with many bodies of similar
distaste.

Scratching, clawing, fear rising, breathing slowing, moving
outside of self, rising, floating to the ceiling.

Energy lost, tumbled into webs of concealment, minds lie in
confusion, knowing something is lost, but cannot remember
what, feeling sorrow creeping around inside, looking for a
place to curl up and go to sleep.

Withstanding onslaughts of remembering, signaling crossroads
to forget silent portraits hanging crookedly on walls.

Eyes staring, looking through souls of eternity, breaking
the fasts of total living.

Encountering grand masters of equilibrium, sought for no
special reason, the accountability of love and understanding
falling short on distant giving.

Precious qualities held dear, held closely, interfere with
the passing of other people on the same journey as oneself.

Wasting time on tell-tale hints of friendship, walking away,
refusing any part of it.

Standing tall, standing fast, when the lives of others touch
ours, we become lost in a vast state of mind, contemplating
each other's thoughts and ideas, realizing we aren't alone
except for our thoughts and memories.

Is friendship worth it? Or is it a period of time we just
grow in, never really knowing anything about another person,
just discovering the many abilities of self?