An old man, whose day is done
lies prostrate in the night.
In his left ear, continual ringing;
His right hears the rhythm of his heart.
Together they sing and pound out
The lamentation of his soul:
Potential forever wasted,
Promise unfulfilled,
Union never achieved,
Choices driven by unknown brokenness,
Dreams abandoned.
The song leaves him yearning.
Yearning.
He knows there is an answer.
On the cross, the only Answer.
The lamentation must die.
Thoughts of potential - die.
Mourning of promise - die.
Longing for union - die.
Regret of choices - die.
Unfruitful dreams - die.
Discordant song - die.
Unfulfilled yearning - die.
The very self - die.
'Til naught remains but the Answer,
For only thus can the man live.
The title is lifted from a lyric by Bob Bennett, from the song "I'm Still Alive Tonight"
ReplyDeleteI'm still alive tonight.
I can hear my heart beating.
Emotions on the surface of my skin.
I can hear my breathing.
Wind upon these bedsheet sails.
Spirit broods over the deep.
I see an image of my father,
and he bids me, "Come and sleep."
No one is sleeping down the hallway.
No one is here beside me now.
And the loneliness, like a fever,
is hot upon my brow.
I know life is more than just survival,
but that's all that I can see.
I'm still alive tonight,
and that's good enough for me.
Good enough for me.
I'm still alive tonight.
I'm still alive tonight.