Peroration At 5: 43 A.M. Poem by RIC BASTASA

the mountains may howl like wild dogs of the desert nights
but wake up, focus, and listen
for in reality they are not but only creations of the fears of your mind
sounds are as deceiving as the limitations of the eye where

the hands skilled in deception can very well deceive the deceiver
of things that you must understand do not attempt to overwork
things settle, mud in water, dust on leaves and furniture
keep on waiting like a monk facing the first morning light

let things simmer, let your tongue savor the breathing of the soul
be the patient receiver, indulge in the luxury of silence,
no one knows perfectly what is right, what is good, what is beautiful
everyone are relatives, as everything is, one point of view to another

one's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist
one woman's lover is another woman's infidel.