At Midnight

At Midnight

From the child watched as it sleeps

Memories and thoughts triggered for keeps

Look back thru’ life with light and no filter

Stark things stand out, of wishes at a kilter

Of mater or pater, perhaps recent or later

They rise and surprise as a lover or hater

Embrace and disgrace are equal tensions

Depends whether one’s guilty or has pretensions

It’s natural when reflections involve begetters

Realizations dawn they were regretters or betters

Yearnings that either or both knew who you are

What you do or what you’ve done so far

The view is stark at midnight when reflections have no light

It’s all concentrated into one with edges and cracks in sight

Cry for a minute or three like regret momentarily over a broken tree

Smile for a similar while, then forget and be free