Recent verses:

Drawing Together

When shall we draw together?
The pretty little things, the fragrant ones,
the leaves, the whirlpools, the sounds,
the secret word the mouth describes in low voice?

When shall we draw together the geysers,
the reluctant stars, the astonished moonlight,
the sand rising from the depth?

Shall we become together the smile, the teardrop
that the sunrise sheds over our innocent failings,
under the desolate tread of this childish Time?

Shall we draw our departures together,
our pieces scattered without gain,
this willing loss of life that breaches its skin
and flies off from our useless feathers and burning breath
into that trembling great mirage in the sky?

But who will paint that shattering face above us,
imprinted on our roots,
drawing us toward a mysterious death?

Afghanistan, 2004