State Of Mind Poem by Ann Beard

I wonder if my state of mind
Suggests that I have lived before.
How many times I do not know
what race or creed I am unsure.
Gifts donated, skills collected,
what, if any, scenes of mortal progress did I see.

I think that I was here before
how many times a mystery.

I wonder if the love I found
had slept beside me years before.
How many times I do not know
in what disguise I am unsure.
what heights of passion did we reach,
what failings painfully correct.
What, if any, change in human nature did I see.

I think that I was here before,
Time will not solve that mystery.

I wonder will my final breath
store subtle pangs of long before,
trap words I do, and do not know
with human, labelled as unsure.
What instincts will I leave to cling
like rampant Ivy to a wall.
As signs, for all the children of my children to see.

that I may be the stranger next door.
so show a little kindness to me.


Roan copyright © Nov.2008