The Hero Arch

Out of darkness comes the light
out of obscurity, a fame
and out of my mouth
is wretched sorrow

Intrinsically linked since the moment of transfiguration
as I, my new self, and adulthood sat on the crest of adolescence
I was blind but now I see
The angst and anxiety
and stress and moroseness
Of realizing my goal
at the same time as my fault

A window was opened
paralleled by bars built round it
I must slay my enemy
release myself from the gravel
from the earth
from this cage

the moment of revelation, the second coming
I long to leave this body for another
not burdened with the weight
of waiting in uncertainty

God asks for my patience
He requires my trust
but long is the road ever stretching out in front of me
I would rather settle for second best or half of what is due
than bide my time in what seems like eternity

He knows this, I know this
but still my arch is not finished
I concede in submission while I follow the road
I can feel my victory over the next hill, the next year
But how many more hills and valleys and steep slopes and canyons must I cross

Before I reach the peak at Sinai
and the Lord reveals his plan to me
or will I merely get a better view
while I die in quiet solitude at the top.

Still a hero
but of a shallow victory.