Thrilling moments swell the soul and
Liberate the heart from fingers
Groping with the strength
Of strong discouragement.

Visions of accomplishment are
Central to the mind
That feasts on accolades
And stills the hunger gnawing at the
Heels of fading legs.

Words that pound the head will
Thrust themselves upon the manuscript and
Free the soul from pressures
Felt within the depths of shackled lakes that
Heave behind a weakened dam.

Rub the balm of written words
Into the flesh that strains from
Years without a hope
Or reason to prevail.

(c) 1996 James Oliver Smith, Jr