Lotus Dreams

"And whosoever of them ate of the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus had no longer any wish to bring back word or to return, but there they were fain to abide among the Lotus-eaters, feeding on the lotus, and forgetful of their homeward way."-Homer

I.

You’re hammering at my walls

Stone walls once so strong

Are now cracking

I begin to doubt

What did I want?

Was it really that important?

But you have cracked your way in

And now you are feeding me Lotus

Lotus that fogs my mind

I shall be stuck in this place

Stuck for ten years

Until I remember my doubts

Remember the dreams

That were leading me away from you

To try new things, to begin again

But you offer me another Lotus

This one looks substantial,

So juicy.

I meet your eyes,

Your outstretched hand–

I push it away.

II.

Being with you is like

Living on the Isle of Lotus Eaters

It seems wonderful, almost perfect,

Almost.

Except for that nagging feeling

That something is missing

That while I stay with here with you

Eating proffered Lotus

I’m forgetting my dreams

And stifling my instincts

In exchange

For a fading dream

In which I’m going absolutely

Nowhere.

2015

Image Courtesy of: Jay Castor, https://unsplash.com/photos/7AcMUSYRZpU