~ The Quest ~ I've searched: I've searched the avenues of life, the pristine chapels, the Bowery flophouses. I've searched the Halls of Justice, on both sides. I've looked under the leaves and behind the clouds. I've searched through the rain and pain of forgotten memories, broken promises, and shattered dreams. I've yearned for the answers to all the questions, some as yet unasked.

I've loved: I've loved the earth, the sky, and all the animals, and... I've hated myself!

I've dreamed: I've dreamed of dancing on moonlight and traveling to the stars. I've dreamed of wordly delights, while searching through bars. I've dreamed of better worlds, with peace and tranquility. I've seen the cold shoulder of inhumanity and Sometimes I've found it to be mine.

I've been: I've been in and out of jails, in and out of Hell. I've been ostracized, penalized, deluded, denuded, and institutionalized.

I've seen: I've seen the deathly gray pall of time pasing uselessly by. I've seen the fire of a new dawn, when, Through an alcoholic's haze, I witnessed the birth of a new life... My own! And now, I have seen -- GOD -- and -- MYSELF, and I am FREE, FREE to be ME! ~ Paul Wilburn ~

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