Garrett's Fork of Big Creek

It seems like only yesterday,
... a young man without a heavy load.
Walked the Garrett's Fork of Big Creek
... upon a then graveled road.

Footprints in the road behind me
... already began to spin the tale.
Of a man who would ponder
... the direction of his trail.

I remember thinking about the future
... how far away 2000 seemed to be.
An eternity away!
... in the summer of 63.

I remember thinking, "Man ,  I'll be old
... in my 50s for sure!"
Then comforted myself with the thought,
... "By then, they'll find a cure!"

But now here I am in my 60s,
... 50s long behind.
January 30, 2012
... and once again I find.

I'm looking back at footprints
... meandering where ever I did roam.
That follow me nearly around the world
... but never away from home.

Home, where my heart is
... where it was in 63.
Garrett's Fork of Big Creek
... where home will always be.

 

 Russ Pergram

Out of Eden

I'm never more relaxed than when
... I'm in the autumn woods.
Where my heart can relax
... ah,  friends, this is the goods!

High atop an old Oak tree
... I'm free from it all.
Away from the humdrum world
... as autumn acorns fall.

Watching the sun rise in the east
... watching it track across western sky.
Twelve hours seem but an instant
... 'til days light, sighs goodbye.

Oh, if only I could live all my life
... in such serenity as this day.
In perfect peace up so high
... nothing could take it away.

Alas, but just as autumn leaves
... are falling all around.
So too I, heart and all
... return to the ground.

Cast out of Eden...

 

 Russ Pergram

How Long

How long does one toss pearls
...'ere one walks away?
How long is enough!
...'ere comes the last day?

How long does one fight?
...against innocent ignorance.
How long does one endure?
...'ere it's time to dispense.

With long-suffering compassion
...patient endurance for the blind.
Oh tell me how long my friend
...'til wisdom they find.

How long does one abide
...'ere children at last awake.
'til they can discern
...truth from what is fake.

How long 'til sadness and sorrow
...are no longer daggers in my chest.
Perceived faults of their father
...at last are laid to rest.

How long must I endure
...'til at last they might see?
Through misconceptions
... of whom think me to be.

I fear not long enough
...in time life supplies.
Perhaps, when I'm laid to rest
...and tears have cleansed their eyes.

 

 Russ Pergram