Ripe Fruit at Dawn

A moment of recognition, just before everything spoils.

There was a time
when mornings hit me
like an Ali right cross�"
anxiety crawling in my nerves,
hands sweating,
mind on flight
to out-fly the demons
I kept feeding.

Back then, I thought
life was a puzzle
I had to solve,
every f*****g detail.
I tried to control it all�"
drink the vodka down,
snort the edges off the night,
choke down the panic
before the sun even kissed
the horizon.

It was maddening,
like doing geometry
blindfolded.

Then the years passed fast,
like Secretariat
in the Kentucky Derby,
and I felt like I’d finally
arrived in the winner’s circle�"
blanket of roses around my neck,
no longer ridden
by lunacy.

The noise softened.
Something steady,
something deep,
began to take root in me�"
a tree planted by a river,
solid in the mud.

Now I don’t rush.
Gentle.
I take my time.
Wisdom is trusting
the creator’s quiet hand.

Serenity sits with me,
rocks in the chair,
sips coffee,
smiles.

Some days I bite into the dawn�"
ripe fruit,
full, sweet, alive�"
and I remember
the nights torn mad,
thoughts like arrows
shot in the dark.

I remember the blizzards I carried,
the storms I survived,
and how mornings finally taste
like victory,
honeysuckle,
and spring waking up,
dressed in clover.

Author's Note

I recently recorded a read-aloud version of this poem on my YouTube channel, along with other pieces and longer works. If you’re curious about how it sounds aloud, you can find the reading here:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq0UTaJahjg

My books, poetry, and short fiction are available on Amazon under my name.
Thanks for reading.

Reviews

[Vol]

Thomas,
Nice. We all have those Siddhartha pasts, journeys learning to find our way, whole lives lived and abandoned so at the end, we can plant ourselves by a river, to put down roots. Of course, this progression is only available to those who pay attention and know what Socrates suggested: "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Vol

[Thomas W Case]

So very true. Thanks for commenting.

[John the Baptist]

Glad to see you have evolved into pleasant mornings, Thomas. When I arise, my first thought is "It's got to get better than this." Three cups of strong coffee mellow me out, though.

[Thomas W Case]

Lol. I hear you.

[Soren]

I love this Thomas as it speaks of changes with age and the slowing down and taking one's time as time passes. A lovely write my friend

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.

[Soren]

Most welcome Thomas

[red93]

Peace be with you Thomas. 25 years this year since I gave up the booze - no doubt I would not still be around if I hadn't. This new poem of yours is Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Good job, my friend. I appreciate you.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Superb Thomas. I love many a line but am particularly fond of “blanket roses around my neck, no longer ridden by lunacy.” I just read it through for the third time. When you’re on, you’re really on. Another Favorite.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it.