Renaissance
A sonnet
By William Stubblefield
By William Stubblefield
Image by Gerhard G. via Pixabay
Fragments of the past once filled my mind,
Adolescent complaints from long ago.
Although those petty flames no longer shine,
Their shadows linger in time’s icy glow:
Useless fictions, dreams, desires, lies,
The masks I wore for work, success, protection,
Love’s nakedness — a lonely man’s disguise --
All stripped away, no more than a reflection
In clouded eyes. Unmasked by age, a man
Patient and true, remains to close my years,
Mind clear to comprehend, discover, plan,
Create, and sing. Old age brings little to fear:
I will not crawl into darkness, a dying beast;
Let my soul fly free, at last released.
Adolescent complaints from long ago.
Although those petty flames no longer shine,
Their shadows linger in time’s icy glow:
Useless fictions, dreams, desires, lies,
The masks I wore for work, success, protection,
Love’s nakedness — a lonely man’s disguise --
All stripped away, no more than a reflection
In clouded eyes. Unmasked by age, a man
Patient and true, remains to close my years,
Mind clear to comprehend, discover, plan,
Create, and sing. Old age brings little to fear:
I will not crawl into darkness, a dying beast;
Let my soul fly free, at last released.