the way of the dark earth

what has been said
what has been buried
what has been given
what has been taken

is now being woven into the fabric
   of life
leave it alone! you cannot take
   it back
 
 for this is the way of the dark earth
 
- digesting, composting, always moving forward -

 for this is the way of the dark earth
 
 before the poem is finished
    grief in the throat

 for this is the way of the dark earth
 
 before tears have dried
   flies on the carcass

 for this is the way of the dark earth
 
 before the harvest is finished
   rats in the cellar

 for this is the way of the dark earth
 
 before the Desert swallows the Sun
   Moon showing belly, high above buffalo peaks

 for this is the way of the dark earth
- digesting, composting, always moving forward -
 for this is the way of the dark earth 

Printed in the collection, “Small Black Tent: a hymnal”