Kindle
when morning breaks
and the last owl calls
and you wake
from the hollow of dreams
you have survived
notice how first light
threads itself through
the spaces
between
what you thought
was ending and
what you wanted to end
the earth beneath your feet
still holds the memory
of your standing
still bears witness
to your refusal
to kneel
gather the scattered pieces
of what the night tried
to take from you—
they shine now
like mica in granite
like promises
kept to yourself
the same stars that watched
your vigil
now fade into
the growing brightness
their work complete
yours beginning
walk forward carrying
the weight of what
you have learned
in the country of shadows—
how solitude can be
a teacher
how silence can be
a companion
the world will ask you
to explain
your scars
your sudden understanding
but some wisdom
can only be worn
never spoken
trust the compass needle
of your own
journey through darkness
it points true
toward the light
you are meant to kindleYou can read more of Sean’s poetry on Arise !
Check it out here:
And discover his cowboy poetry on Bite the Bullet, here:
Sean Downing, poet, musician, teaches high school English and Theater Arts in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. He can often be found in his woodshop, coaxing music from odd scraps of junk, or haunting the trout streams around southwest Colorado. If you see him, don’t tell anyone: they’re probably looking to get an honest day’s work out of him.
