SAFE IS THE HEART

I'm a man who dreams like all men dream
   of mountains to conquer
      places unseen
         sites to escape to the happiest hours---
   to retreat
      to the loneliest nights
                          alone.

Whenever the sea storms over the land
   I still dream of castles
     it can't knock down---
         to places unknown
            hurt of any kind.

Dreams are dreams
   hearts are hearts
      and together they are
         forever and ever---
   weathering the storms of darkest night
                   gloom without end
   when the aches and pains of emotions and feelings
      cut deep the very core
         of the living soul---
   taking hearts and dreams and making them laugh
      turning them right around
         and making them cry.

Oh, how I've tried and tried to explore
   of how the heart climbs and soars
      to heights unknown to any man---
   and how it can plunge to the lowliest depths
      when even the soul
          can't be much help.

But, alas!
   You came along
       threw out your hand
          and I reached out
             where the heart is safe;
   and to castles we have flown
      where storms can't destroy
         tho' they try and they try
            to knock at the door:
               to get to our hearts
               to pull them apart.

G. Franklin Pruitt
      Published:  The DeKalb Literary Arts Journal, DeKalb College, Clarkston, GA., 1979