STACIA LYNN REYNOLDS

STACIA LYNN REYNOLDS

Long Narrative Poem

THE JOURNEY TO GARDENIA

I

The journey, a repose upon the sea-

Time lapse, waves carrying a path unseen.

In blues of crystal and smoky waters,

Serene Clearness and foggy dividers.

Brightness, warmth of the sun that shines upon

Looking toward the horizon and beyond

Within mind’s vision and physical eye

My journey began, bid the world goodbye.

Sailing upon a brilliant crystal sea;

My tranquil heart leaped, new life foreseen.

Where the flowers bloom white, no colors of grey.

Where birds sing, carnivores no longer prey.

Only through visions and promise of hope

My sails blow on, as my boat is afloat.

Now far from dry ground; my journey moves on

Toward eternal white, my old life now gone.

Clearness and blue; water calm and serene.

Joy in my laugh- exploding my being.

Though perceiving not what lied up ahead;

Developing darkness, one I would dread.

Laying my head down repose for the night,

Longing, expecting tomorrow’s grand plight.

It was the end of day one; no sorrow.

Began to dream the hope for tomorrow.

II

I woke to the rising of the sun’s rays

Orange, golden, yellow, crimson plays

Upon the horizon; its morning dawn

The hues of the sky, my eyes became drawn-

Upon what is not yet seen or perceived

The island of white, in faith I believed

Will anchor upon; my sails are blowing

Toward my hope- my eternal belonging.

As I drifted, light winds catching the sails.

The sun still rising; glimpse of dolphin tails

Who were content in their journey also

Singing, swimming- their hope for tomorrow.

I sang along with the familiar tune

Not realizing the future course’s doom.

As the sun continued rising upon,

The sail boat’s bow as time moved on.

The time had lapsed into noon I had guessed.

I saw in the distance trials and tests.

A dark fog settling on up ahead,

And clouds of black coal, I began to dread.

Terrestrial rains, Zeus’ lightening bright bolts

Shot across the grand skies- I prayed- I hoped

As the sky sounded its awful thunder

I dreaded the boat would go asunder.

III

Poseidon beneath the boat was enraged

As I felt the fury of him uncaged-

Into new heights unseen; I held on for life

As a heavenly war broke out full strife.

I prayed my physical body on board

Remain upon, not falling overboard

As the floodgates of heaven opened wide

As angry rains fell upon every side.

Waves carried me through a thunderous scene.

Continued praying. It was only day three

Of my journey to new spiritual heights

Where flowers bloom and birds take their flights.

Images of promise rolled through my head,

As I laid upon the boat’s wooden bed.

Looking up toward heaven’s power display,

A bright light appeared; not thunder’s array.

Bright light soared down through the heavenly scene-

An image of man with heavenly wings.

The great light encamped the sailboat’s stern

Along with the bow, its sides did not burn

But provided peace that dark stormy night

The boat lifted up, achieving strange height.

I am Michael, God’s angel from above;

Protection from Poseidon’s push and shove.

IV

As morning settled to dawn I awoke.

The sailboat sailing, calmly afloat.

The night I endured; protection through night

Safely aboard on day four of my plight.

This day was different than dawn of day three,

The sails were blowing, again I felt free-

As the first day I launched from shore to sea-

Eternal Island of white I would be.

My companion friends with fins did return

Singing their songs at the bow and the stern.

Dropping within some fresh fish from the sea-

God’s provision for hunger; I did eat.

My appreciation to him I sang:

In praise adoration- His saving grace

Protection, guidance; the night I endured

Michael, the angel- and my hunger cured.

As night approached, my soul was calm and eased.

The beauty of sunset; I felt so pleased

To witness horizon’s hue on the sea

Colors profound, beyond what the eye sees.

Out to the East in the Galaxy high

The crescent was rising, hooking the sky

Drawing in night; grasping onto the dark.

The stars did flicker, and they did spark.

V

Dwelling serene of day five’s morning dawn.

To the majestic horizon morn’s drawn.

My vision of inner hope sails upon

The promise seen- I believed- pressed on

With my journey I knew to be nearer

To anchor my boat, my mind was clearer

Than day three enduring the thunderous sea-

When encamped with torment and fear of being.

A promising sign of a brand new day.

A smile, a laugh, as my dolphin friends play.

A sign of smooth sailing: the waters blue

Their singing, jumping, a wondrous clue.

From today, of day five’s long sea journey:

Of crystal blue seas and black clouds turning,

Of radiant Michael, Poseidon’s grief,

A heavenly war; protected- did leave.

In a bright light sent from heaven above

Over black clouds, thunderous skies, with great love.

Eternal promise, sailing from day one

Felt dread and fear, though never left alone.

Found protection in heaven’s grand light’s gift:

Descending angel, miraculous lift

Away from the heavenly cosmic war,

My boat afloat, I would fear no more.

VI

Twas the morning’s dawn of journey, day six

With peace of mind, while the waves softly kicks

Upon my temporal earthly ocean ride

The fruit of kindness, self-control- not hide.

Perceiving in the distance my hope’s dream

My eternal belonging is now seen.

Beyond mind’s vision it did now appear

As the boat softly rocked and floated near.

I knew this day the dark trials were worth it.

The long dark journey, and rocky current.

Encamped protection, inner strength was found

Even while walking on the solid ground,

Before my sailboat left for the sea-

My search for peace and serenity be.

Embracing the grandest strength that is found

Received the unfailing love that’s profound.

My boat gently nudged upon solid shores.

The anchor was dropped; my old life no more.

I stepped upon the Island’s beach; white as snow

Eternal Island, not an earthly show.

Gardenia- more than I ever thought

Was white as snow, from the flow of red bought.

I perceived not emotion as I stepped…

Upon the Island, but an inner gift.

VII

Upon the white beach an archway was found

Where the flowers bloomed and vined all around.

The gateway into eternal life shone

A pathway to my illuminated home.

I gazed upon many wondrous sights:

The hues unseen- flourishing life- birds in flight

Upon the heaven’s an awesome glory

I searched, excited to tell my story.

The story of when I had launched my boat:

Torment and fear on the water afloat,

Piercing the darkness, with joy in my heart

Knowing the hand of the Lord would not part-

From the bow to the stern, and outer being

Satan would flee in witness of seeing

The intersession of my life that day

When I cried out and I humbly prayed.

I strive in hope, in glory now seen

Due power of love over evil’s keen-

Drawing temptations and warring life’s strife

My decision made, giving God my life.

I am now surrounded by beauty’s hues

Peace in dark valleys, no longer my blues

But memories of the view upon the sea

Unto the white sands, and the island’s trees.

©

STACIA LYNN REYNOLDS

Found in “A Poetic Journey Through Life”

STACIA LYNN REYNOLDS, Iresides in the state of Ohio, United States of America. She is  the author of two published books: Escape Down the Roman Road, and A Poetic Journey Through Life. Also an editor and freelance writer. She holds great joy and have pride, in the joined participation and efforts, of the editorial team, of Our Poetry Archive.