Mysterious stories,
   and poetry aflame.
Walking and running, they soar and fly,
   as spoken words swiftly they became.

Racing here and there,
   telling delicate secrets unheard.
Revealing compassionate emotions,
   that soar to heights silently stirred.

Then, dive deep into ocean depths,
   to again fly gallantly over raging sea.
Sail uncharted waters, visiting lands far and wide,
   divulging thrilling mysteries so carefree.

Words discovered tell of mysterious people,
   and their extraordinary way.
They walk with the living and dead,
   realizing passionate love that quietly went astray.

Spoken words valiantly climb rugged mountains,
   descend valleys deep with creatures large and small.
Walks forest thick and meadows rich,
   then strolls beside shimmering blue waters all.

Voices reveal flowers so fragrant and scented grasses that blow,
   beneath soft, fluffy clouds and skies so richly blue.
Imagination-inspired gazes at dazzling sunrise and silent settings,
   with concealed darkness and moonlit nights to view.

Hears merchants argue as buyers’ stubborn do barter,
   in hot, sweltering markets with goods piled high.
Eyes wide open disclose mighty armies and wars so brutal,
   where heroic soldiers fight and the valiant silent lie.

These spoken words skillfully written become imprisoned,
   held captive, no longer free to fly and soar.
Yet these frozen words held hostage by page and size,
   still reveal hidden secrets of ancient worlds even more.

No longer spoken nor heard, these written words,
   do cleverly inspire, as hope they gently stir.
Imagined jesters and clever voices reveal hidden and subtle truths,
   to again awaken in visions which slyly reoccur.

The reader of these printed words,
   are skillfully lost in pages yellowed by times-proclaimed fame.
Yet, these words race here and there, soaring to heights unknown,
   immersed in mysterious stories and poetry aflame.

         Tim Kirby
         April 27, 2021