of birds so light their throats can sing
freedom waits within the wings
the cautious wade in shallow streams

or await the clinging grasp of dream
never learn to soundly sleep
wait with openness to clasp the hands of those you meet


"I will show you fear in a handful of dust"
how could you abandon underprivileged youth

close the door
and against this barrier
hold with justification

a misnamed fragile one
unnamed, unsaved


is another day awake
the conscious mind to know this feat
your shadow at evening rises to meet

and "the dead tree gives no shelter
where the sun beats
for you only know a heap of broken images"


how then else are we defined
sons of gaia, daughters of man

your shadow at morning strides behind
awake another day
scales rooted in another's cracking frame

and who i am is weighed
when life is one, a player's game
piece of gain in mind


father's lot maintained
with no sweat from angled brow

seekers stand crowned
until the nameless cease to bow
and tides carry us forward

reasons guide movement
unless you're wrapped in doubt
a body without spirit.