The Edge of Darkness

Born in innocence I basked in the light
Coming of age twas in shadow I walked
I cared not for those who cared for me
For their hearts burned bright

Not just shadow but darkness I embraced
'Til a young girl's light captured my heart
For the love of this girl, in my own heart it sparked
My heart was in darkness for a long time it seemed
Yet light has it's way, for darkness was fleeting
Turning to shadow and then disappearing

When our hearts were joined, the light shown a new
Ten times as bright as the hearts of just two
The birth of our children as shown in my heart
Was a burst or explosion of this wonderful light

My heart was emptied of darkness, the shadow was gone
The blood of my heart pumped vital and strong
My love for the other, it seemed at the time
Had driven the shadow from the course of all time

But one day in shock, I came to see
The love of my life was not beside me
For whatever reason, the better half of my heart
Had departed my chest and left me alone

The shadow did not, as you might surmise
come creeping back in sneaky and wise
The shadow was gone, gone for all time

Twas darkness that entered, deep in my heart
Grabbed hold of my soul and wouldn't depart
The pain was so great, it's grip was so strong
My struggle was over, though I had not lived long

But down in the depths of my feeble heart
A small spark still glimmered fighting the dark
Twas not my light that battled for life
But the love for the other that still burned so bright

The love for the girl who joined me as mine
And gave me two children to call as my own
Was the love for this other that kept me alive
My heart was still pumping so I tried to survive

Then one day it happened in the midst of my struggle
My light joined again with the one light that mattered
To shatter my heart, just days it had taken
Years it has been and still I feel shaken

Through good years and bad we live, all of us do
On the edge of a darkness that waits to consume
The light we must hold to deep in our hearts
Whether lit in full brightness or only a spark

John Pope-October 25, 2010