The Long Marsh Poem by Emmanuel George Cefai

ah! the long marsh
the road that wound
wound through
not asphalted but white
it went through and through
around, around the lowly marsh
without a sound.
so we
we have a life
like as unto a marsh
it winds round and round
in it so many woes
abound
so many prophets rise and
who for a time robs
the hearts of people
then fades
as the dusk fades
as sunset fades
and a long deep night
carries all but burning stars
out of all sight.
ah! the long marsh
with bend head sad
through it I went my day
sad the sparse buildings
and sad the heavens frowned
with every step, all way:
the sunset sank
the red dusk sank
and all, all faded day
I walked, I trudged, and it was dark
I walked, I trudged, and it was night
I walked, all sad towards a shore
that desert as all deserts lay
at fading of that day:
with every step
my grew sad, more sad
and heavy with each step
my thirst for the sea
to feel
sea-waves splattering around me
beyond encircling walls
of water and of sea and
the high Ocean still
without a wave to thrill
here I got me, here I willed
to walk into the waters,
so did I,
and now my bones the lowly-deep
of the marsh sea holds
and my Voice that each night
speaks, each night laments
and yearns
under stars and fierce light