AN EXODUS POEM

Visions Gather Series #26. Computer Study.                 © by Ruth Zachary

The Reluctant Immigrant

I once wanted to live among mountains;

      towers of beauty, monuments

            to exploration under blue skies.

                    But I remained in the flats.

I considered coming west with my daughter

       a later time, abandoning the web  

              of family before its venom spread.

                    But I did not leave.

I remained there, mistakenly hoping

      there would be challenges

             and resulting growth. Instead

                     there was betrayal; loss.

Trapped in that web, I failed to see

       the poison had already infected us

               even as our potential

                       shriveled from within.

There was the agony of exile endured

        for a decade, hoping to escape

               the wreckage collapsing upon me.

                     before breaking free.

Finally arrived, I thrill at the western sun

      setting over exultant mountains, and

             swell with joy blazing unmarked trails,

                    feeling gratitude at day’s end,

Now I find, the shadow of fear is gone,

       replaced by regret over waiting so long,

             darkening my eastern doorway,

                     a void cast by setting sun.  

But the pause is brief, and soon I am

        chasing the moon over nearby hills,

                 recapturing the dreams of youth,

                        catching up bits of lost time.

Artwork and Poem are the Copyright © of Ruth Zachary  
To see other similar artworks, visit  ruthzachary.blogspot.com