I Walk Along the Edge

Kim Loftis Photography, https://www.facebook.com/kim.a.loftis

 I walk along the edge alone,
    the margins of the deep inflamed with sun-toned splendor,
    the sky above engulfed in radiant spangled light,
        as night met day or day met night,
        when light and color fought with dark—
        implanting hope and awe and, Hark!
       
            My soul now soars on silent wings,
               with shock and reverence, esteem and fear,
               I loose the heavy band of earth that clings
                  and claws and draws and paws me to its blear,
                     its drear and smear and blinded gear
                     that threatens tear and and jeer and empty sphere.
            Now overhead I soar with upward swing
                and view the joy that heaven brings:
                I see a city there above the clouds
                   shining bright, shining proud,
                while earth-bound denizens lie cowed
                    and bowed and plowed,
                              with no lofty thoughts endowed,
                    tenuous life all soon to disappear.

But I walk along the edge alone:
    the margins of the deep call out to me,
    the sky breathes down its majesty
        and light meets dark or night meets day—
        forces in my heart at play—
        when bright comes forth to vanquish dark,
        inflicting joy and lasting mark.

I on the edge of deep look up and know
   the unseen forces up above,
though barely sensed down here below,
   still shower light down, sent in love.

- D. Benning