Bouts

Days in waiting between bouts of faith

I struggle to maintain the composure

Of A man who knows what’s to come

I fall into these dark halls

Where the shame of memories

Appear like paintings on the wall

And it’s myself that I cannot escape

For everywhere I’ve been

There too has been my face

Staring in, and scarring these stages

Easier than it seems I doubt

The finding love within or without

And so I search for her

All the while knowing that without the inner sight

Found through the eyes of love, I’ll search forever

If daily I could just weather the storm

Sit back and ride the waves

One day, wake up myself

And kiss the soul the same

Strength and patience, gifts of faith

If only I could win the bouts

Somehow knowing

It’s in embracing the shame

And loving it renamed

ⓒ 2004 Shawn Michael Quinn