Episode at Journey’s End

Episode at Journey’s End

By Peter Merz

Peering through the mists of time,

thoughts collide, dreams stand ajar.

I catch but a glimpse

of

the

voyage

that awaits --

from galaxy’s end burns a star!

Are our fates and futures set, or

can

I

alter it?

Can I bend

the

rainbow

that

holds

my

destiny?

Escape the grip

of predetermined motion?

And Through sheer introspect

dig down deep to the best in me?

Planned

coincidence

sows her seeds of doubt.

Hard to decipher in this fog,

as I set out on an Odyssey of the soul --

keeping clear of three-headed dogs.

Shadows of Chimera haunt my waking dreams;

I feel the bite of the Winter of Discontent,

as I cower before the trials of Hercules:

who am I

 to run the gauntlet

with the gods even for a moment?

Jaded by the journey, have I lost more than I’ve gained?

I’m trying to find shelter from this acid rain…

Am I lost or am I reborn?

Have I been weakened

or have I found a new strength?

And as I reach journey’s end,

I wonder for a moment…for many moments…

How to go on with the rest of my days --

Until hidden inertia starts me off again.