The City Limits

poetry

Of many things I have thought while thinking of nothing
Of peoples and places seen many times, few, or never
And never to be seen in a world not my own
To exist only in the confines of my limitless mind’s eye
To traverse country, and across continent, visiting kings and caliphs
Of these I know and find a location for them among the many others
That know not where to begin or where to end, or if either have ever
But more likely will never have conclusions to begin with
These circles of notions and plays on reflections
Outnumbering galaxies of stars and beaches of bleached sand
At moments, to vanish but only for an empirical time
And once their disappearing act has concluded
There is no mourning as I am capable of waiting until they recur
But should they tarry or abscond, here burst generations anew
With expectancy to outmaneuver and surpass in every way
Though not from a distant ship flung as a helpless babe
Nor extend myself past the boundary of abilities
For risk in exceeding the limitations of my undertakings
I have but to do as I see well and without any constraint
From none but that which binds me and bears my name
If when I should reach sought shores may there be no restraints
Opening my mouth in jubilant rejoicing as I please
Opening my arms to embrace, opening my eyes to behold
Yet should I clench my jaw in grimace let it be so
For without this there could be no conquest to direct
Without this there would be no loyal armies to lead
Without this there would be no triumphant homecoming
But it exists and lives on with blessing and adoration
Blazing pathways to sights unimaginable and equally realized
For now it is with resounding voice I assemble to say
Confidently among myself only this: drive on
Through shadows and solemn streetlights, drive on.
When after all has come to pass, the end will be known
More than in any other moment known it will be apprehended
All these, together on the precipice of everything attained
Will still straddle the white dashes, too many to count
Beholding that somewhere, someone is hurt or dead or dying
But with purpose they pioneer, weaving to roads unseen
While destinations and unfulfilled visions wait to be grasped
Where they will flourish at long last by everlasting fanfare
Before their return voyage, back to lands once remembered

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