Quo vadis

I've never been one for New Year's resolutions. There is something however about taking time to reflect, think back and look forward. Right now it's this poem, rather than 2009 that's making me do this.


Directions

In this desert of language
we find ourselves in,
with a signpost with
the word God worn away,
and the distance.

Pity the simpleton,
with his mouth open crying
"How far is it to God?"
And the wise acre says
"Where you were, friend"

You know that smile,
glossy as the machine
that thinks it has
outpaced belief.
I'm one of those,

who sees from the arms
open to embrace the future,
the shadow of the cross
fall on the smoothest of surfaces,
causing me to stumble.


- RS Thomas