The First Time

a dropped heartbeat

a scion

a lantern in the sand

we had watched the seaside cathedral

as it was gutted by an army of madmen

so shameless in their sovereign sounds

now ferns burst through the crazed tiles

a fault-line opens the eye of the pulpit

but still, I don't know where to find Him

like tears, He was the water in the ocean

when I still had things to believe

so now what do I say to you,

voiceless traveler

before, I barely knew you, you

taking your time, making your weapons

under the tyranny of turning air, but

now I can at least imagine

the distance of the flight

how we are all spoken into being

and how the incantation ends

at the gate far beyond the horizon

you, brave conquistador

all those dogs you left behind

you who taught them, you who

draws lines, who draws strings

you, who says "your back mustn't touch the ground"

careful warrior, livid angel

a click of paws

one turn in the mud

nectar, a blade of grass

a mouthful of dirt

the lost souvenir

if you don't know me by now

surely you remember

that night God stranded

us in the dark