The ravening stillness, br br my heart bleeds out across this empty morning: br Drifting down country roads br city streets for news of peace, br for a soulful rhapsody of rarefy language. br br Today I find myself br on neither side of war and peace, br beatitudes or voodoo, love nor hate- br Just swaying somewhere in the middle of truth. br br Flowing through the ease br of burning leaves on another fall afternoon, br reflecting a world with out hope in their ashes: br Any one of us could be the smoke and rise above the flames. br br I'm a lover, though br I'm broken into pieces, too small br to scatter to the wind- br br So much of the time, I am ready br to be hunted by the darkness: br I dream of a perfect world. br br It must be found outside of this struggling circle- br This womb is tearing, br br the rheum of God's invisible eye br is beginning to envision, again. br br What is lost, entangled chaos and solitude, br I used to seek refuge in relation, br mistake understanding for silence- br and now I go, these days br roundabout God's snow-globe aware, I am alone br and how it is most likely I will forget br to stop by the mailbox, br to receive a postcard from your vacation oasis- br To give me word of this, to give me word of you. br br I will walk these miles still br reciting what's left of the poetry br that courses through my brittle cords- br br Perhaps I spoke too clearly, too honestly, br for you've decided br the heart is something you've denied br for longer than I am willing or able to strive- br and I am unsure now, br unsteady of your drumbeat and the battle it is waging.