Darkness

In the yawning expanse 

Filled with my hopes and dreams 

There exists a darkness 

These hopes and dreams 

Are tethered to my essence 

Bound by faith’s gossamer cords 

I can always feel the gentle pull 

Tenderly urging along the path 

Delivering hope’s fruition 

Yet

There exists a darkness

It is not a growing darkness 

It does not threaten the light 

It is content to linger quietly 

It is there 

In the places I haven’t visited 

In the untraveled corners of my soul 

It faintly whispers 

Like the incessant sound 

Of an annoying insect 

When it speaks 

If one would hear 

It speaks softly 

Of failures, not yet realized 

Of endings, disguised as beginnings 

Of fears, dressed in silence 

Still, I believe 

Still, I hope 

Still, I walk 

For even within the darkness 

The thread remains 

Taut and trembling 

And it is enough 

To pull me forward 

Even with the darkness 

© Ron Simpson Jr.