XI

Does it carry fire?
Does it strengthen?
Does it heal?
Set aside,
or swallow hard?
Is it ever enough
to make a meal?

Vanity of vanities:
let go of your mind,
don’t harness every instinct,
one step at a time, 
break the meter, 
take off your boots. 
You are nearing holy ground. 
It is hidden in surrender— 
only then will it be found.

throat full of ash
cough it up and weave a crown
the sun will blind you
the noise disorient you
body betray you
you will crawl into the arena with delusional faith
and God will meet you

then you will return home
I will kiss your face and wash your feet
as saint jude rests on my chest
you will lay mended boots before me
we dare not tarry till we’re better
I will carry you
peregrino mío

the ink will spill
and make its shapes
when tomorrow unfolds
divine with me
a verdant spring
by the light of the moon
her wax and wane
we will follow the seasons cycle
it is ephemeral and evergreen
a raving and a prayer
a beauty and a truth
a lamentation and an adoration

we will toil and we will rest
we will sing and we will dance
we will eat and be glad
we will drink and find joy
we will love without fear
in this vain life under the sun