Peace of Man
He wanted peace but didn’t battle his desire
He missed the public declaration for his soul
They gave him power to bring peace in time of internal war
Submitted to self-pleasure, he gave his enemy control
He looked a saint warring away for His family’s desire for peaceful prosperity
Lust and now greed raced to choke those he swore to defend
Under the weight of power, they crushed him into the mold: conformity
They clapped as he yielded to greed while the enemy laid traps
He awoke outside a prison to watch a thief hang
The external peace he sought seared at his fingertips
The drum sounded as he tugged the thief toward the gallows
An easy kill
He grabbed the rope, steadying his sway as benefactors lead him up the ramp for a pleasure cruise on the USS Vanity
The cabin smelled of sweet cigars and expensive perfume
Distracting pleasure sedated the pain and the sorrow for a time until he glimpsed a mirror that reflected the same face of the thief who he hanged that morning
This unrequested moment of reflection while visiting Vanity stuns him before he can indulge
A thought pricks his sedated heart as the numbing pleasure wears thin
He remembers what he’s forgotten, but is it too late?
The lies of success and possession are not what bring true peace
Desperate for correction, he turns away and falls toward the shore on his knees:
In my attempt to pursue happiness
I’ve forgotten to rule myself first
Almost fallen to desires craftiness
I repent, please reverse this curse
I’ve believed the lie for too long
Reshape me like metal in the fire
Renew my soul so that I may endure
Let me lead with intentions that are pure
And give my blackened heart, the peace that only mercy will chisel and that grace may nourish
Copyright © 2021 by Matt Antis. Originally published in Poet’s Guild’s Poem-A-Week on March 15, 2021, by Ink Jot Kingdom.
