i wake with a huge emptiness in me
i walk – try to lessen it
treading this path
by the stream
these unbearable feelings
must be looked at
searched out like hands in a dreaming
standing this painful ground
until i can rest within unblinking view of the sink holes
that broke me and made me lame
can’t the birds in these woods speak for me –
speak in tongues
spiritual songs
unexpected staccato
one low note repeated rhythm
woodpecker’s
determined hammering
breaks through