Fourth Watch - Kiwi Poet

Fourth Watch a monologue by Stephen Douglas

Much can be written and spoken about the fourth watch.

A division of night is the common theory.

But for you and me it can be a restless, sleepless watch.

When wide awake with sensation of thoughts meandering,

torturing the mind with doubts, lies, and possibilities.

As for others, it’s when an incident returns hauntingly back,

with such force self-control is cripped with fear,

and reality beckons toward the crevice of despair,

whispering harm.

Much can be said and painted about the fourth watch.

The fractious toddler succumbs, at last, to the closing of eyelids,

so those keeping watch may drift off to dreams of peace,

and tranquillity.

Or maybe, it’s the wandering adolescent who sneaks home,

using outside stairs to their open window.

For those in refugee camps or prison cells, it seems nothing

will ever be good again.

Hope fights to stay victorious.

Anything that happens seems magnified in the fourth watch…

Much has been written, recorded about the fourth watch.

But it is the re-telling of a night’s storm which stirs the hearts

of many. Fishermen set off to row across Lake Galilee,

when a storm beset them, so strong, they begin to feel forsaken;

lost to their power to keep rowing; keep being in control

of their circumstances.

When in the fourth watch —

They see a figure coming on waves! In terror they cower down,

thinking a ghost is walking, toward them.

The worse of all fishing stories is freaking them out of their bodies.

Much will be conjured and, retold about this Fourth Watch.

Is it the deep lying interconnected psyche of our human being,

aroused, in the mist of a stormy experience.

Literally and figuratively? Is it a metaphor in the turmoil?

Whatever it is; anxiety or a loss unbearable.

Anyway, this ghostlike figure is present in our turmoil

but of ‘cause it can’t be as we frail human beings,

tell stories, of demons retreading into their dark,

where they belong, before our day-light catches them

and us conceding to make sense of the mystery.

Much is made of the last hours known as the fourth watch.

Now in human events — resurgence of racism, warfare,

viral diseases, rule of tyrants, gang bullies, drug pushers,

and the menace of climate.

But if we humans find how to be still and silent;

to lay aside fear; even of Death, and the demands of serving Self… .

Then the eyes of the heart* may indeed see Him bring hope,

peace and a way forward each day, in faith and helpfulness.

As Peter discovered; we learn what we can’t do to save the world.

We learn the importance of being alive, and of being true,

in all circumstances especially — the Fourth Watch.

*” May the eyes of your heart be enlightened to see the hope

to which He has called you.” Ephesians 1:18

A found poem from the writing of Ross Miller

“The Fourth Watch”, from A Field at Anathoth.