SOLITUDE*

In you my world dissolves.

Furtive hands seek in the dark 
A distinction. 
Nothing compares to solitude.

Shimmering in the faint light 
Of an unknown zone 
A little light offers no solace.

The sea has roared all day. 
The words have roared all day. 
The face has gone pale 
Thinking what to take 
And what to reject.

A poet said a few things 
In many ways 
Offering his songs 
In praise of the unknown.

I took them like a plateful of teasers
Like attempting a 
Competitive test 
To clear my way beyond 
The obvious 
And the oblivious.

Many more voices have roared. 
Many seas have been upturned. 
Having explored the enigmas, 
Do I believe it all?

When the seas are gone 
And there’s no rain 
Fear gathers like sunshine 
Hurting my vision 
Tempting me to close 
Every little nook 
About myself.

That way 
Neither do I lose 
Nor do I gather anything.

*First published in Voices of Humanity (Vol 1), 2016