The Breaking Day Poem by David Lumpkin

The day breaks over the trees, beyond the lake below.
Of pain or joy? What shall it be? Can I ever know?
Like time itself the sun will rise with the speed of eternal light.
I face this changing wisp of time the choice of my own plight.

Shall I, with pain, reflect upon the things that have come my way?
Shall misery fall upon itself in heaps of my own decay?
Shall tears my eyes be filled with, as I morn another time.
Give way, will I, to death, despair cease my endeavor to climb.

Perhaps there, as the rays of hope shine down through the trees afar,
I catch a glimpse of better a moment like a scant seen distant star.
I look away and then it's gone. By chance I've missed my find.
Or steadfast keep my eyesight fixed upon it before I'm blind.

The day breaks over the trees, beyond the lake below.
Today I turn my head away reject heartbreak and sorrow.
High in the sky the light will rise with warmth and life to give.
I take it now, it is my choice, with joy and peace to live.