On Ways of Would-Have-Beens

One wakeful midnight, I went where my mind
Would go, and found myself a ways down ways
Of Would-Have-Beens, in woods where many kinds
Of rancors live — red hot regret, despair
Among them most for me. But that night came
A coolness (maybe from the mountain air
I welcomed through my open window frame,
Or maybe the cicadas singing there)
That placed a palm of healing on my heart,
And I could walk where deadly dangers dwell
With little care. Then wonder made a start
Instead, so walked I onward for a spell.
The dreams that followed, all I have forgot;
The peace that made their way, though, I will not.

You can listen to me read it here https://soundcloud.com/benwhitepoetry/on-ways-of-would-have-beens