August, 2007

here,
in this place of unyielding hardship
the soil trembles
with subtle urgency
without moving

bodies quiver
electricity dancing on the surface of
straining skin

restraint
oppression
desire
fear
all held
in abeyance -
a sacred secret
voiced in harsh-edged whispers
in the dark of night
and lost to forgiving winds

here,
trees bend low
branches heavy hanging
with over-ripe fruit
no way to pick the figs
beyond the shadow of the wall

still,
roses grow
dawn kisses sweet-smelling earth
with blushing lips
breathes new life
into tired lungs

here,
figs drop
full of burgeoning seed
fecund and bursting
to visit a sticky dampness
on the waiting ground

life will not be held back
even in the darkest hour
the promise crowns
cock crows

new life is given spark
in darkest nights
we cower
sweating sweetly
under threat
of imminent annihilation

still
the oppressed pray
create life
touch with gentleness
cry with pain

still , we bleed
still, we laugh
still, we heal

and dawn
gives herself again
to this new beginning
no conditions
on this precious start

daily we are born
daily we die
this moment
a finite prayer
on the infinite lips of time
of timelessness

not fixed
but fluid -
death
gives way to life
life to death
this eternal dance
of
love, and loss, blood, birth, laughter, tears

the call to prayer echoes
from ancient hills -
sentinels
guarding deep secrets
the ones that reveal themselves
only in dream

and the call is answered
as it always has been
always will be

each of us
answering
in our own private language

lips forming the sweetest words -
hidden, secret words
that only God
will ever hear.