variations

I wrote the same poem in two different forms this week.

Sonnet

I use my words as weapons in the fight
Against the dark, discouragement, and fear,
The things that would maneuver in the night
Around the heart, encompass and draw near.
I use my words to shield from arrow’s flight,
Protect the weary soul that fallen here
Is worn and wounded by the shadow’s fright,
Its missiles hurled, like doubt and dread and tears.
I use my words to shield the mind from sight
The ear from evil sound, the ugly leer
That suffering displays and groans — of Light
Instead to whisper in the hurting ear:
I use my voice, my words, to stand and fight,
To sing of Light and Love which tears the night.

Quartet

I use my words to charge and fight
The dark, discouragement, and fear,
The things that would assail, draw near
The heart besieged within the night.

I use my words to shield from flight
Of arrow hurled by shadows near,
Protect the weary soul that here
Falls worn and wounded by the fright.

I use my words to shield from sight
The mind that pictures shadow’s leer,
To shield it from dark sounds, to hear
Instead a whisper from the Light.

I use my words to stand and fight
The pressure and the heat of fear,
To tell of Light not far from here,
To sing of Love which tears the night.