February 3, 2025
even if we hold our own unknowledge
sacred as a directioned star it is always possible
to choose a greater respect for pains before invisible
I will not say to do this unfolds the world
but that the door of my office has often been opened
to find the hallway become an alcove for whatever winged
uncertain thing has lost its way like me
come to rest a while among the books
in the courtyard of shadowed virtues
looking for answers or fallen asleep
on the slatted bench beneath
the old oak tree arms furred with ferns
hunched and patient as an ancient philosopher
where between earth and heaven he crouches
to consider all our names for shelter
and how we might turn ourselves more simple
in our search for a cup to heal the wound
that would teach us eventually over many
many years to define our terms
and better ask our questions