favorites from "the first writ of concern"

[wehavenosecrets]

when our ghosts walked the earth

the land and I are brothers -
carved from the same belief
in the natural order of things.

trace the lines from cheek to
furrowed brow, from lips to pale
grey eyes, from briar patch to
dried riverbed, from me to you,
from here to
eternity
and you will never find me wanting
or in anger.

you may ask, "why have my hands
failed to capture life, poured out
like vinegar wine upon the barren
earth?"

I answer, "forgiveness."

oh, silent whispering ones

We fell like burnt leaves through
an ocean canyon of yesterday's bones.
Each whispers "brother", "lover",
"patience", "wisdom". Each scatters
themself in the Coyote woman's shadow.

Here, among the thicket and earth-
hollows, you find the riverbed, leading
West. If you stand here expecting and
pitched far against the Corn moon, you
will never hear the voices of lost bones.

You will never hear them come to life.
You will never see their dance.
You can never have them back.