In the Dark of Night

When the shadows rule!

 

In the Dark of Night

 

We all share an uncomfortable truth

 

One that there’s no escape from, no matter what we do

 

That’s wishing that somehow things would be changed,

 

We could have done it differently, somehow rearrange

 

moments from our past that we’d like to do again,

 

things we wish we hadn’t said, situations we wish had never been

 

We live them over and over in the dark of night

 

Somehow stop our ears from hearing, steal our power of sight,

 

For if we don’t hear the truth, and if we don’t see,

 

Then we can pretend, and set our consciences free

 

For guilt is a hammer that keeps pounding away,

 

Harsh in its judgments, destructive in its ways

 

A never-ceasing spotlight, it’s an all-seeing eye

 

An endless loop of sound forever asking us why

 

Over and over, it plays its sad tune in our head

 

It keeps us wide awake, fills us with dread

 

We wish we could change things, make a wrong right,

 

change a total embarrassment, change black to white

 

We might as well try changing the course of a river

 

It would be easier than making things change, somehow make them differ

Still, we beat ourselves up, for years and years and years,

 

and exhaust ourselves; to have nothing change is our greatest fear

 

We’ve all heard the saying, “Time heals all wounds.”

 

But I’m here to say it’s not true, it never heals that soon

 

Some regrets last forever, some pain never goes away

 

Some of our penance can never be repaid

 

The real trick is to breakthrough the pain,

 

And not let it drive you insane

 

Don’t let it keep you from keeping on

 

It can be minimized, but it’s never totally gone

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Michael Stevens,
"In the dark of the night" was really a good picture of the reality of how people think. Why do people care and ponder life's choices and experiences. Why as you say are we thinking things at three in the morning; (middle of the night?) Whether we like it or not morality does matter and we want to be good. The alternative is so destructive and only brings pain. This poem of yours is a great essay about the inner voice of the heart; "the conscience," actually. I read this and loved the meaning behind it and the thinking brought forth.........Good job................Kathy

[Michael Stevens]

Thank you much, Kathy!

[Kathy Van Kurin]

You are extremely welcome. Happy Easter to you...and don't forget to smile and of course enjoy this day.

[Michael Stevens]

Thanks, Kathy, and Happy Easter to you, also!