A Bright Voice in the Dark

The horizons are imperceptible,
Blurred by gray skies
And dark, fluttering ash.

The trees are sickly and bare,
Void of fruit or leaf or color
And slowly rotting away.

The ground is dry and cracked,
Obscured by dark mists
Swirling around my feet.

But through the dark dusts
A spark of life erupts
From below the black soil.

A tiny, beautiful sprout
Rises above the desolation
And chimes with her voice.

I kneel down and gaze in awe
At this affront to my despair
And I listen…

-------------------------------------

A pale mask of death
Adorns his cold flesh.
My hand across his cheek
Is answered with silence.

All my comforting words
Are echoing endlessly,
Seeming hollow and thin
And discordant.

Then the silence shatters
With the softest moan,
Tinged with hope
And recognition.

His eyes are opening!
Waves of relief wash forth
And purge my sorrow
With fresh tears of joy.

His mouth is moving!
I lean in closer,
Our noses nearly touching,
And I listen…

“I heard your voice.
I felt its softness and affection
Tear me out of death’s embrace
And into yours once again.

You need not fear for me.
Never can any darkness
Keep me from your side.
I will always find you.”