Wakening Dawn

A wakening dawn over village breaks
Sleeper, his final rest, takes
Soon, so soon, will he rise
To rejoin a life he does despise
The humdrum days of existence
Each feeling like act of pennitence
Sleep is the only alowable escape
Each waking hour is mental rape
Tied to desk of despot's curse
Meagre rewards from bulging purse
Given with graceless condescension
Embarrassment belittling pretension
Accepting with muttered relief
Allowed freedom like pardoned thief
Rushes from office to punch card
Skulks across now empty work yard
Till once more behind closed door
Spirits fly and unto clouds soar
As family, loved, around him then pour
The balm of sweetened word applying
Eager faces he's then espying
Who sit round table of waiting fare
Each with smile to rid despair
Till with gusto, feast they devour
And no thought of work can sour
The happiness that around the table flows
Like Spring streams from melting snows
For no matter the stress and care
Or what burdens he might wear
When finally at daytime's end
He settles with family time to spend
His spirit rises as bird on wing
Does fly into evening air to sing
So with joy in heart he ends the day
Yet so fervently then he does pray
That the night won't give way to morn
So he won't needs face the wakening dawn


Terry Rhiannyr
November 2012