O: Nothing Is Easy

Nothing Is Easy

In the shelter of flattery
our bodies weaken,
and our minds flow away
from nourishment.

Where the light holds open
with a call to us all --
under a dark cloud
it withdraws.

We must will ourselves
to rise beyond the potent charm
of easiness, and effortless
drifting on a Delphic swell,

and the need to run and cry
held rigid in someone's arms,
in an ultimate hour of decision
less ecstasy than essence.