March 2021
Neil Creighton
neil.creighton@bigpond.com
Author's Note: This encouragement to move on, despite slings and arrows aimed our way, or political and social oppression, or the monstrosity of war’s collateral damage, is the tenth and last of Rosa’s gentle exhortations to disillusioned and depressed Morteza. It completes Part 3 of this narrative. They are lucky to have each other. There is a Part 4, “Atefeh”, which concludes the entire cycle. I have written Atefeh’s story but leave it for now in the hope that one day this narrative may appear in hard copy.

So, farewell to Rosa and Morteza. Thanks, Jim Lewis, for giving them breath on these pages.

Part 3. Rosa (continued)

X 

Come. 

It is the dawn. We must return.
Spring’s blue freshness is in the air.
The bitterness of fog is leaving. 
A day arises that is calm and fair.

Think not on what lies behind or ahead.
Press on in courage and belief.
Each day’s journey is sufficient to itself.
Each day will contain joy and grief.    

Night is coming when travel ceases.
Winter will bring bitter states
but beyond the night and winter’s chill
our calling, our purpose, waits.

As long as you travel by my side
of each day’s trials what do I care?
Even the burdens in the blue-black clouds
in hindsight can seem as light as air.

So, let us be gone. Let us travel together
through jubilation and sorrow.
Hand in hand we support each other.
Resolutely we face tomorrow.
©2021 Neil Creighton
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