Life Compass
- cramergr
- Mar 26, 2022
- 2 min read
I’ve lost direction
gone far astray,
not sure where to go
not wanting to stay.
North or South
East or West,
no matter the direction
each is a test.
A trip started
so long ago,
like flowing lava
now starting to slow.
In the beginning
It surely had to be,
each new day
I was glad to see.
So much to learn
with girls and boys,
all the new things
a joy in life’s toys.
Each new morning
new ideas in my head,
now replaced each day
with nothing but dread.
Once lofty ideas
with far reaching goals,
now worn and thin
like old boot soles.
Never cock sure
all full of pride,
but stoked with doubt
on a most slippery slide.
Then came the war
full of hate and pain,
leaving a young heart
so darkened by stain.
Tossed into a mix
with so many strangers,
so sadly unprepared
for all of the dangers.
Young boys once
wanting to play hooky,
now willing to die
over the last cookie.
Distant explosions
both day and night,
all the young faces
eyes without light.
A short day’s liberty
in town and afraid,
listening for the sound of
a pin from a grenade.
Plodding along a
watery path of thistle,
hoping a praying
against a lone missile.
The ship sliding in
and out of a port,
hitting the beach
men and cargo to sort.
Standing guard in a
night breeze so mild,
pointing a rifle at
a brown eyed child.
Three turbulent years
now returning home,
the outside a man
inside a boy to roam.
Every new person
and how to measure,
some were close friends
now all lost treasure.
Each new woman
a vision to stare,
so full of love
a blossom of care.
But along life’s path
each step of the way,
they drifted out of sight
full color into grey.
So many questions
many without answer,
eating away at my soul
like a fast moving cancer.
Now looking back
at a well worn map,
seeming less an adventure
and more like a trap.
I’ve lost direction
gone far astray,
not sure where to go
not wanting to stay.
North or South
East or West,
who cares what direction
just finish the test.
Gary R. Cramer
June 24, 2015
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