A Moment in the Dark

The storm proclaims 

ownership of the night,

as the lights go out.

It’s gone. 

Everything you worked for, 

everything in life;

your kids, your wife,

all gone.

Time spent struggling to create,

to make something of life, 

to provide, 

all is gone.

One-quarter of life wasted trying to make it work, 

refusing to give up the crumpled paper cup

used to bail water from the sinking ship,

only to drown in the dark, alone.

Bushes scratch at the windows. 

The clock tick-tocks last precious seconds.

Tears stream down cheeks, 

your eyes stare at nothing.

Reality is fantasy as you sharpen the blade.

The jeans you wear, a razor strop of memory.

You check the edge, 

Laying it against your wrist.

Flickering candlelight playing on stainless,

Catching a face you hardly know, yet, all too familiar.

Your eyes focus and you recognize the stranger.

“What are you doing?”

“All that’s left. I've reached the bottom. Time to leave.” 

Your lips motionless. The sound in your head. 

You sob. 

A better grip on the handle than sanity, the voice continues.

“Your punishment is misplaced and your wrong is in hand.”

"Shut up!" 

You tire of arguing with yourself. 

Scratching bushes replace the voice.

No more talk.

In seconds it will be done, 

in minutes the emotional pain will cease.

But the voice drowns out the bushes.

“You need to rise above this... like you always have." 

"It's too much. Its always been too much, 

but this time...no...I can't."

The blade bites deeper.

"You've been emptying this well for years. There is no exit here. 

The only way out is the way you came in. 

When you’ve reached the bottom, 

all you have to do is look up.”

You slowly lift your face toward the ceiling. 

You close your eyes, not wanting to see, 

but its there, like a distant sun, in the mind’s eye.

“The light seems so far away.”

“And yet, it’s there, and there is nowhere left to go now, but up. 

At the bottom of the well, at the end of the maze, 

there is still only one opening, 

one way out." 

"Your children need you. 

Your parents need you. 

Your friends need you. 

When did you become the selfish bastard?”

“If I do this, she wins?” 

“More to the point, 

if you do this, 

everyone else loses.”

You go to the floor on your knees, 

dropping the knife to the side, 

throwing your arms around yourself. 

You cry uncontrollably until you begin to laugh. 

As you wipe the tears away you continue to laugh.

as a person gone mad, only not. 

More like a person finding a missing piece in life, 

a key which will open everything that is to come.

You will pass the years as a person touched, 

constantly smiling and laughing, 

singing and whistling annoying tunes, 

touching the lives of others. 

You will bring happiness when some are sad. 

You will learn to smell the flowers, 

to become again; 

A light on a path from the darkness.

What is the alternative to nothing? 

Once you’ve been there, 

lived to rise above it?

Be humble. 

Find your path.

Watch your path.

Take the first step.

Never look back.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.