in silence whispering

he felt the hand on his chest, but nobody was there.
darkness engulfed the taunting shadows just beyond....

he heard the whisper in his heart and understood the words.
there would be no more delay. the time was now.

would he go? or would he stay? which would he choose?
one held life; the other death. the mockery from beyond became shrill.

but the hand remained, if for a moment.
the voice trailed off, but not without substance.

it was now, or never. live or die.
what to do? where to go? and what lay beyond in the unknown?

was life a more frightening prospect?
was death so much more inviting?

confusion spiraled in ignominy when in darkness it plunged,
interrupted only by the hand, by the voice

--in silence whispering; in holiness loving,
offering hope in the depths of despair--

of the Lord.

25 September 2008 by Glen Alan Woods