Of Will and Can and Must

We lay down our work-worn tools

Of ‘will’ and ‘can’ and ‘must’

Twilight cascades onyx pools

Over tents of dust

Thought, the scoundrel that he is

Boldly rakes its deep

Ethereal parenthesis

Twixt toiling and sleep

Quiet quickens with the dirge

Where night-shadows lay

Overhead the silent surge

Of dark moments splay

Deep within us thought alone

Bears the settlement

Of what 'will', 'can', 'must' have done

Where this day is spent

Morning meanders in air

Beyond nocturne shore

Lowering to thresholds where

This day will be no more

‘Will’ and ‘can’ and ‘must’ return

Weighting mortal touch

By their test we love and learn

Lessons of life and such

© Janet Martin

Who pushes you through the day; Will, Can or Must?