PROMISED LAND

Angels and devils chase
Across the darkening path of easy faith
On the pensive spread of consciousness.

The sun has burnt out his fury
Now sits beneath the indifferent hill
In remorseful respite.

Fidgeting darkness growls
And plunges out, instinctively
To pounce upon the day's beaten prey.

Howling horror of the black and
Poisonous witchery of the night
Lurks unseen among the fallen leaves.

And jumps astride the horse
Of the lonely wanderer
Though unseen-----in the woods, betimes.

Oft the rebellious pony
Now walks------death stricken
Without a swish of jovial tail.

Oft the faithfuls assail
With orisons and the cross
Savage breathing of shadows in the dark.

But only the lonely hermit understands
What the shadows say
To the prying sun.