was startled by a dream
(pieces falling into place)
a promise given clarity
as evermore to grace

from birth
a quest for wisdom
came questions still to ask
such pleasure with the asking
each mystery surpassed

and tho the house was empty
but for birds along the wall
(they couldn’t sing)
they wouldn’t sing
were frightened by it all

so taken by insanity
at last I knew the rest
what pages had been missing
scripture burned
of consequence
when someone chose for others
what each should choose alone
would take you there
if mine to do
would gladly lead you home

I couldn’t sleep
the hours passed
as shadows rearrange
what longing knew his way around
was truth I wouldn’t change
always here
I see that now
I’d looked for someone else
was tearing up the covers
searching for myself

twas always here
(I wonder)
who was the woman in the shawl
did I share this fate
with breakfast
a night bird strained to call
who watched me
from a distance
storied arms too weak to fight
taken down
forsaken paths
in shadows of the night

approaching dawn
was Tennessee
far beyond my fears
wallpaper birds now gather
these sacred psalms
to sing