The Before

The Before

In what dream did you breathe once,

In what realm beyond the known?

In what vision did you fare once,

In this world unshown?

Do you at times taste different air,

A breath from some outside?

Do your nerves somehow with memory ring,

With the advent of springtide?

Are there still distant bells rung,

Did you once roam the far hill?

Do you recall songs now unsung,

A melody lost and playing still.

What vapor of being could you have been?

What essence moving through the ages?

How long, how many whens,

How many acts and how many stages?

What remembrance whispers soft,

In what worlds did you settle?

How many great battles have you fought,

How many times proved your mettle?

Or do you plod through these gray times,

With little inspiration.

With no challenge, no mountains to climb,

Consigned to your dull station.

Reach back through time! The bells still chime!

You are not restricted to this theme!

Let go your cares, let your fancy flare,

This world too is a dream.

Cliff Lake 4/5/2023

CliffSongs