Woken Once More Poem by Preston Simmons

Sleep took me by the hand
And led me to the water.
When I arrived to the river,
Sleep released his grip
And left the way he came,
Silently.
I tried to convince the earth to let me stay, But she directed me below.
All is alone in the earth,
So I wondered why
The mother of the lonely
Would not want some company
On the surface.

I walked
Below the water
In humility.
Though
many voices traveled the road of my mind
I listened to one,
And was deaf to all the others.
It was the voice of my grandfather,
Who told me things twice.
From him I heard the phrase:
'Carry on, carry on, Help carry others burdens
And you will be carried along.'

A quarter moon rose from the earth,
But only illuminated the clouds.
I saw into the willows By their illuminated light.
My ring will not be as the willows, Mine will be shown.
I have committed to cross this water,
Even as I have committed To those who are in the earth.