Matins - Poem

Firefly spirit & undying breath

who live where the intellect is darkest

where every cry descends into peace

with ended days, grasses and pallid faces

do not leave me now that I understand

how few more years I will walk in the light.

Shade covers a good part of me; it routs

things into dust, if I stretch my hands out.

Today you are only that breath of my dust.

As to still fronds in the hot, sultry nights

from the air an unexpected murmur sighs

words yet from the springwell of my dreams

I know you bring me before dawn. But day

can't find them, and I don't recognize you.

COPYRIGHT 2000 Commonweal Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group