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If you only knew

how we found you

what loving you feels like

being loved by you

If you only knew

how you alter the world around you

subtly, incrementally, gently

with unknowing humility

If you only knew

how immense it is to be a little bit yours

to be held in your heart

so strong

If only you knew

and saw you as we do

it wouldn't fix things, no . . . only,

It couldn't hurt

And so upon my death

The press

Begins to crank

With rusted cogs

On time retreading

Counter now

Fine fictions proudly told

As edgeless grooves

Align to ink the leading
 

Each unforgiven mess

Bereft

No space to sit

On powdered page

Framed and headed

Writ and bound

By popular resolve

A truth unnamed

Remains a truth embedded

Learning to rise with the moon

emerging in the ceasefire of the light

earthshade beckons

cleared of crowds, dropped like tides

peace dawns by star cover

Rest captive captors

surge riders crashing in barrelled bars

Rest oblivious tools, tongues

devouring thrum of caption drills

deep faults and tremors raised

push, praise, curse, press on no more

Let lightless hours pause old hinges' creak

let boast, judge and status gossip cease

parakeets of shiny seed crumb chatter, hush

Rest the pecking pockets

sink now with the sun

back down on a temporal breath

beneath your productions

be still

cradle the whispering canopy brush

so soft

air the kiss of rain on bare earth

never a first, never the same

leaf, wing, throat carry here

escape the human barrage of the day

weave upon the free waves of night

stealth quilts of liberation

light will take us hostage soon again

hidden in the loud world