One Tear

Lone watcher stands at the water's ending
surrounded by phantoms of the past
with each memory a new wound, rending
tortured psyche that has quit at last.

In front on a canvas of anguished mind
walking dead begins the last portrait.
From remembrance a special line to find
portraying life now lived in forfeit.

Shaking hand in deepest charcoal covers
years wandering a spirit unseen
a soul encased, with gaze turned from lovers,
anguished mind fighting nightmarish dreams.

Second mem'ry, tiny splash of sun's rays,
then gentle blue for soft loving hands,
a wondrous time, raiment peaceful dove gray
as lovers joyed in dream filled lands.

Following stroke: the watcher slashes black,
for memory of loving passion
as a sexual shell to fulfill the lack
in his secret world darkly fashioned.

Suddenly, hint of pink pierces darkness
with warm flesh of a hand extended,
a soft violet spreads throughout the starkness,
consummate emptiness is ended.

Wash of golden loving paints the canvas
silver passion, words melt icy night,
but in wracking need, the truth she hides as
blind dreams she weaves to wash brownish blight.

Now promises of a life companion
soft rose drawn with hesitant stroke,
she relives dreams she once again stands in,
with bitterness sees life's final joke.

The last color she paints is emptiness,
lays finished portrait in the sand,
lifts her eyes to a sea of loneliness
sees but pain of barren inner land.

Slowly she walks in water surrounding
a soul emptied of love or of fear.
The soft green of peace, quiet abounding,
on the portrait one glistening tear.©
~RAC  10-12-98 ~