Follow-on

September 23, 2021

Union

The pain ricochets 
like a fractured bullet 
from neck to knees
irradiating the ribs
piercing the planes
of my face
pulsing like blood
beneath muscles
and through joints.
It stops me still --
striking me open
grinding the ego
from each bone 
into humility
and its companion
wonder --
For now
the knowing I seek
is within reach --
the clam shell 
of the protective body
the thin lining of
disbelieving intellect
broken away.
There is only one thing
to ask for
and it is not relief. 
Instead, joy.

Age + Faith

Like a 
fine sifting --
reducing and
smoothing
the rough 
granularity 
of self 
to the finest
of powders – 
not liquid
but evaporative:
A prayer
dissolved 
on the skin
of those 
we love
who remain.