Suddenly At Last - Poem by Louie Levy

I awaken, having slept through some portion of my life
Dreams lost by a conscious memory, pain and joy still present, somewhat relieved, having awakened for another day.

A fresh new start...
Now, my children have grown and;
'i', alone at last...

At last, when there are not infant cries demanding attentiveness, no longer a sound, no longer their mother to nurse their hunger for life.
At last! They will know of the love that parenthood had nurtured for their bodies, chosen for their spirits...

'i', alone at last -

free spirited and aged like some ripened grape, fermentiing in a cask whose seed had long been planted and now making ready more on its vine. Like wine, am i better in life's vintage state?

Who will now sip of my dryness, of fermenting fruit,
tasting pains of life's bitter finale? .

Left with spent spirit, imprisoned in glass confinement,
uncorked and consumed without regard.

(c) 1987