Just breath

     grinding      welding      hammering              a fountain              birds chirping      more hammering      drilling

If I go closer, I begin to see it

     grinders and lathe machines      acetylene torches and oxygen cylinders      hammers              fish swimming in a pond              tortoises      presses and dyes      drills and drill bits      furnaces and molten metal

Even closer and I can smell it

     metal on metal      acetylene              tadpoles              wet soil      sawdust      furan sand and resin      isocyanate    

And still, the only thing I taste

Chant for walking between worlds.

From my modern book of charms

that the caged bird sings

and attempts to fly

even with clipped wings.

That women of all ages

are exquisite 

and possess a temple 

only those who respect

should dare visit.

I will remember her fondly

as I peruse the pages 

of my own history, 

and will forever cherish 

her beautiful words

as I attempt

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.