dicing with anguish

having emerged

virtually intact

from a battle

with ‘the darkness..',

herewith

relating self-assuredly,

journeys to nether regions:

to find oneself

lost, disoriented,

without the least energy,

 moral and physical fibre depleted and spent...

 a hard place, gentle reader,

 one which affords

a glimpse of living torment..

with essence shredded,

mind and spirit shattered,

time stands still - and punishes..

each breath betokens

such gargantuan effort,

each thought

frozen and paralysing..

each gesture monumental anguish:

a Nubian tunnel, eclipsing reason,

espousing ragged self-pity,

 rage, despair, oh..  and anger,

yes, anger.

behold!

as circumstance would have it,

blessed relief finally manifests..

faith and determination, snail-like,

inscrutable, return to enrich and nourish,

pouring loving oil over troubled spirit..

gradually, imperceptibly

the love that is the essence and glory

of living and breathing

asserts its ranking authority..

fellow travellers

able to make their presence

and vibrancy felt once again..

thank the Lord for the wisdom and joy

of regeneration and the bounty, inevitability

and glory of refreshment and grace!

‘upon a withered bough

a flower blossoms.'