From Midnight Till Dawn

By Thomas Reed

Through the questioning of life and our existence here, through the dark loneliness of depression and contemplation of suicide, through love realized and actualized, and love lost, From Midnight till Dawn is the journey of one mans struggle through the dark, troubled times of this world until he enters into the kingdom of Gods eternal light. This collection is at times surreal, at other times sublimesometimes prophetic, but always with a realistic perspective that speaks to individual trials, political situations, and the conscious of humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490801018

Thomas Reed

Tom Reed has been writing poetry over the span of four decades. Philosophical, political, poignant, or romantic, his poems run the gamut of life—whether about political history, like the “Dirge,” with hidden innuendos about John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Nixon, Mother Teresa, and Bosnia; or romantic poems like “Mortals Cry,” or “The Last Poem.” Also found are prophetic nuggets like “Journey Within,” “Obliteration,” and “Jerusalem.” His early struggle with suicidal thoughts can be seen in the poems “Trial,” “Changes,” and “Thoughts on the Night of 10-19-76.” But his triumph over the menacing darkness can be seen in “The Answer.” His broad range of thirty-three different vocations—including host of a Miami Beach restaurant, sound man and roadie, construction laborer, youth pastor, tree trimmer in New Orleans, and a variety of others—has helped to collectively paint this collage of life experiences called From Midnight till Dawn.

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Copyright © 2013 Thomas Reed.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-0099-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0100-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0101-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013912284

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/26/2013

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

To the Reader

Contemplations

Evolution

Birth

Plight of the Silent Star

A Poet Cries

The Quest

Digesting Time

Cocoon (Twenty-First Birthday)

Hiding

Mirrors

Naïveté

The Song Is in Your Eyes

Salvation’s Empty Lady

Soul

The Last Poem

Changes

Dirge

Life

Journey Within

Escape

Armageddon

Thoughts on the Night of 10-19-76

Obliteration

Rebirth

The Descent

The Answer

Destiny

My Statement to Mankind

Serenity Falls

Creation

The Sea

Surviving

Satan’s Souls

Aborted

The Light

Jesus

Love

Mortals Cry

Prejudice

Hate

In View of Repentance

Stagnation

Solitude

Fatal Choice

Prelude 08-17-82

The Prophet

Ancient Survivor

911

New York

War

Global Warming

Waveland (Katrina’s Aftermath)

Death of Reason (Death of a Nation)

To the President, Congress, and America

Jerusalem

Footnote

Notes

About the Author

This book is dedicated with love to the late

Alice Elizabeth Saunders Reed,

a woman whose courage and smile endured many hardships

and also a woman who, by her life,

convinced me this book was possible.

Acknowledgments

Most eminent thanks to God for His love, understanding, and patience with me.

Special acknowledgment goes to my wife, Elizabeth, whose love and support nourishes me every day of my life.

To Elizabeth,

On a summer’s day

our hearts entwined,

woven by love’s

hand divine.

And as the

eternal ages sing,

naught shall break

the golden string.

Thanks to Mrs. Evelyn Hollows, the mom of a neighborhood friend, the first person to take an interest in my poetry and encourage me to continue writing.

Thanks to Evelyn Norris for her encouragement along the