Refuse to be Herd

Drudging through the mire of measureless night

I stumble and start and shiver to the soul,

Bracing for a fate that’s unchartered yet.

Writhing through the pain I wonder how long

My hands can hold our unawakened dream

And save from loss that unparalleled gleam.

And still do I hear the roar of that storm

That threatens to burst with fire and hail

And lay our crops to waste –

Smothered into molecules of unredeeming hate.

Still would I sing and bellow through the bone

The voice of a man with a mind of his own.

Soul Survivor

Batter and bruise and roar all you want
Bear your fangs and pierce through the bone
Do all that you can to pain and gain,
And rack my soul with fire and coal –

I will not bow, I will not roll.

But settled and safe in the fort of my soul
I’ll smash all your bolts and grab your gusts
Till all your fury is spent and must yield
At last to a soul that dares to be lone.

Youasis

Steaming down the noonday blaze
I merge with silent crowds on street
With sweat-lined faces, charred as coal,
Wading as through sea of sand.

Then like oasis Magic-born
Your face appears and pouring shade
Thrills me with that sweetest voice
As like dreamt of nightingale.

At once I chime with speechless song
And throb with bliss of breathless days.