A Uniform Desire—Lost in Snow

By Ryan Billington

Continuation February 9, 2007 – Final Form November 19, 2007

A uniform desire that scampers ‘neath the skin

A search, a dream, a myth, a lie

This fallen race been given

Discerning and revealing, acquiring much in life

Sophistication and success

Dreams carried through the strife

Going on in dreamed existence till that fatal blow

Betrayed, naïve trust wounded deep

Six feet beneath the snow

What were ideals held close in youth now the planks enclose

A beauty lost to life’s cruel cold

A casualty of foes

Murdered all held close and true the world reformed in ice

Cold and hard the world discovered

Ideals would not suffice

Circumstance reshaping self, morals gone astray

Refracted beams through broken glass

The life light bent away

Displaced in darkened haze to walk, a memory scarring deep

Recompense eluding, forms

This debtor in deceit

Pleasure devised through willed illusion o’er years that past has claimed—

Attempted quench of a soul devoid;

Still yearning core remains

Antithesis of life played out, blackened winter white

Fashioned by a Master’s hands

To scar with iron spite

Choose of life, of Christ, oh soul, while time there still remains

Remember love that welcomes dear

A child seen unchanged

Tragedy of existence shown—formed for God to be

Master ‘hind this puppet’s skin—

Adrift away from Thee

Lost life lived in darkened past, is accumulation gain?

Knowledge not wisdom, wealth not worth

A youthful vision slain

Set upon the edge of life, viewing all the cost

Success, a wisp blown ‘way by years

Alone, true innocence lost