The return

THE RETURN

So dark and damp the heather was around,
as though I had to make my straying way right through a sea.
The lightning mocked and showed a hundred lanes to me,
but nowhere was the cart-rut to be found.

I climbed upon a hill, fell down the bend,
sank down amidst lianes and thorns,
closing about me, causing scratches, sores.
I lay there helpless, overwhelmed.

It thundered and the pallid lightnings cleaved
the darkness and mysteriously
the heights stood in a shredded light.

And over me moved heaven’s rounds,
until, at last, the morning found
me back and of God’s shining face I gained back sight.