Stuck Here

With ''tis he walks away. He leaves me here the gentle father, and I stay, doubting, and battling my thoughts of "yes"--but "no." Canto VIII, Inferno, The Divine Comedy

Here I stand, battling these thoughts, “yes”—and “no.” As fear floods, washes over, and through “Oh, why did I take this journey below?”

Locked out by hate, furies bar the way into The City of Dis through which my path lies, And my guide has left me alone, withdrew.

Left alone. It is here I realize That my anger, bitter discontentment Is bound with Filippo whom I despise.

Though dead these many years I vowed vengeance For the wound which cast me on this road, Not a day passes without resentment.

Carrying cursing, my hard’ning heart’s load, Is the gorgon by which I make myself stone Demanding requite, of all that I’m owed.

This is my hell, condemned, stuck here alone. I am caught, ensnared, hopeless for a way Out of this mis’ry of hate, death, and bone.

A wordless poet with nothing to say Can only trust the counsel of his guide And though weary, not give into dismay.

He said my journey would not be denied On comfort and good hope feed as I wait I am not alone; see the bread and wine.

He will not leave me, but will liberate, Will free me from chains, will unlock the door; By his own descent, he will re-create

Off’ring the love never dared hope for.

© Randy Edwards 2017 Artwork: The Barque of Dante. 1822. oil on canvas. 189 × 241 cm (74.4 × 94.9 in). Paris, Musée du Louvre. #poetry #christianity #thedivinecomedy #inferno #dante