Shattered
•
I come upon a man
standing by the road
looking sad
heavy box
in his arms
held close
he stares
expressionless
into my eyes
his gaze stops me
fixes me in place
his face is tired
and drawn
etched in worry
when at last I move
I draw near
close enough to see
this sullen man
is me
he extends his arms
that clutch the heavy box
he beckons me retrieve
this container he protects
filled with apprehension
I reach
and grasp the case
lift it cautiously
lay it at my feet
it slowly opens
to reveal
its strange contents
seven shattered dreams
struck mute
I gaze in wonder
confused
yet captivated
I inquire
of the nature
of the ruin
I behold
these are yours
the stranger says
broken by your hand
once
they each were shared
with one
who trusted you
each bond
you did betray
without a passing thought
abandoned carelessly
now the burden of this box
is mine beyond the grave
the stranger’s eyes
intensely sad
begin to pool
as he continues
it was on a road like this
that it was passed to me
I have carried it too long
I am weary from the load
now you must bend and lift
and clutch it to your breast
to struggle with its weight
until you pass it on
a tear
now softly glistens
on the stranger’s cheek
someday
a man will come
over that horizon
he will stop
and stare
transfixed by your presence
you will charge him with this chest
then he will lift
and carry
as I do
in a cycle of forever
for he too
will be you
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
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composite above entitled: “Box Of Dreams” – by: rob kistner © 2008
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• • •
