Communal Flame

My eyes scream for vision

my ears ring with silence

my lungs choke mid-breath

no longer able to hide it

I seek out the un-seeable

desire the unacquired

find rest in my pursuited quest

little solace, little respire

Aspiring for the infinite

drowning in falsifiers

making wage against a current

feeling cold, soaked and tired

Glimpsing at the light

distant stars off in the night

blotted by a dusty cloud

scared, lonely, running loud

Where did the sun once shine?

when did its days resign?

what happened to its might

 now but a man's lost right

Do creatures still exist

seeking safety, truth and bliss?

young men with short beards grey,

sweetening words that blot dismay?

I miss my friends

I miss them all

seekers of truth,

warriors with gall

Fiery minds

whose coal burned slow,

lights in the darkness

an eternal glow

"Where did this brave man go?"

I asked each at a time

“Where are those dreams, of greater themes

Whose essence never lie?”

"To whom do you refer?

I cannot recall such a face...

it couldn't be my own!

Surely, you're making a mistake"

"No, don't you remember?"

I whispered with a tear

"This was you last Rosh Hashana;

This was you last holy year"

Many do remember

others do recall

but a vast majority

continue to ignore me

paralyzed within their fall

“Grab Hold!”  I scream loud and clear

fighting against the waves

“It’s not too late!

You can be safe,

Just trust, have heart and pray!”

But how can one man make,

an impression all alone

when roaring waves and thundering quakes

leave seeds once firm unsown

Adrift about the cultural storm

Where trending is the mend

Where can a man who’s lost his plan

Summon strength to build again?

Think back to a time

Where lights in darkness

shed eternal glow.

How did that spark

set us apart

that long, long time ago?

From where did it originate?

Oh Yes! I do recall!

Was it not amidst communal unity,

The Community!

 When each man gave his all?

You see, my friend, we sit together,

Both suffering in the dark

But only because,

 we’re each unwilling

To ignite our inner spark

You see, my brother, the masses' power

Lies deep in the hearts of men.

The keys to the ease of harmonies

Exist here and now – not then

So grab ahold of your own soul

 and join me on the way

To reclaim Light that created your might

That led you to this day