Besotted (When)

Remember that the smallest seed of faith is of more worth than the largest fruit of happiness. - Thoreau

.

when knees wobble and concrete bends

when you don't know what's for supper because your next meal is coming from a trash can

when loneliness dances with marrow

when a convoy of clouds stretch endlessly across the horizon

when your only friends are cold rain and a frigid gale

when the blanket isn't enough

when dusk weeps and dawn whimpers

when tears cry

don't bother asking how or why

when body trembles and soul shakes

when those around you turn to sick laughter, needles, bottles, pills and promiscuity for comfort while you cling to a promise

when twisted fingernails scratch the eyes of truth and lies bruise reason's skin

when reading the tattered, yellowed pages of a dusty old bible with a torn cover is the only thing to get you through the night

when church is wherever you happen to be

when hope is just another four-letter word

no one fluffs the pillows and leaves mints on a park bench

where deliverance is just a movie with a banjo

when will latent prayers be answered

tell me when

when

when

when

Author's Note

"A man's real faith is never contained in his creed, nor is his creed an article of his faith. The last is never adopted. This it is that permits him to smile ever, and to live even as bravely as he does. And yet he clings anxiously to his creed, as to a straw, thinking that that does him good service because his sheet anchor does not drag." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I myself am no longer a practitioner of faith anymore but I do have an admiration and respect for those who truly practice what they preach. Even as a fire burns around them and Immolation is certain they will continue to pray. To stay that resolute in the face of impending doom speaks to an immovable will in God. Whether foolish or inspired we shall never know, but I do admire its profound faith in something greater than themselves. A powerful piece Pete.

[Pete]

faith can be an odd thing - often there when one doesn't need it and mia when one does. it's not for me or anyone else to put it to the test but it is the only thing that gets me through - i wouldn't be here without it. to each his own. i guess we all have our refuge ... :)