No Longer

Days go by without a word said,
Not a page is turned
And the book is still unread.

Activities planned, tests run,
We have our worries,
But no results to calm our qualms.

The days that were blue and sprightly
Are now drab, grey but wet - slightly.
If these dreams of ours were ever to fly
We might have to forget sleeping on the sly.

But these circles of darkened flesh
Around each and every eye-
No matter that the day is fresh-
Ask your purpose, they ask you why.

As the days go by,
Neither words, nor a lively note
Can disturb the now-forgotten monk
Who said he'll never get drunk
On this mission of his.

The Other Shore

Oh, I tried my best

To leave behind those worries

Before leaving the other shore.

But as I sail these doldrums,

The jarring silence has awakened

Those worries I thought were left behind.

Colour and mayhem I chose,

With little thought,

To drown my waking moments.

But carried my own

Dark and gloomy thundercloud

To drench me in my sorrow.

Oh, I tried my best

To forget all those faces

Before leaving the other shore.

But after weeks of loneliness,

I can't sleep without reliving

The ghosts of how they were.

Wish this new night will end,

With a soft breeze that picks up

And rages till the heavens upend.

How I wish this boat of mine

Never sees the other shore.

How far am I from there,

How far am I from home?

Oh, I tried my best

To leave it all behind

Before departing for this other shore.

But as these seas get rough,

And lightning strikes,

I can't see this voyage through

Without longing for that other shore.

⁂