You are the wonder of the world
a red man come from desert
you saved this girl from drowning in sand
pricked her lips with cacti juice
told her of the stars in your mouth
collapsing mountains
summoning sleeping giants to lie beneath us.
With cicadas, you wove me a blanket of safety
though you had nothing
you gave me all.
From the empty handed
comes the greatest gift
unfolding like paper water lillies
leaving stigmatas in my palm
the shape of echoing stars.
Never apologize
Dearest
for being poor or empty handed
when your feathers are full and sunset lifts you high
the circumference of your heart
longer than a sincere word
taught me humility
and how to know
the tenderness of kindness comes often
from those who receive no thanks
for they are not rich
nor need those things to sustain their souls
walking with angels.
You are a man of your ancestors
truth in the words
as the bell chimed, you took me to be yours
pouring salvation into candles
lighting my way to freedom.
So many years I had been caught by the neck
twisting in the wind unable to escape
the trap of circumstance
and in one pull
you gathered me close and saved me
a hunter turned tender
for the fluttering of his people
bestowing goodness like late harvest.
From the empty handed
comes the greatest gift
before we reach heaven
we may have still
walked with angels.
