if your loving be

on the walls of your soul!read the scriptures writtenin trees, in rocks, in rivers.read the scriptures writtenin the broken alley.in the homeless man’s eyes,in the addict’s desperation,in the shuffle of jobless feet.in the cry of the newborn baby,in the lovers moan of fulfillment,the scriptures writtenin the sweet darkness of night,in the jail cell,in the picket…

except for moonlight pouringthrough the curtainless window….she lies naked, wrapped intoevery pore of him,their breath hanging like small clouds.the smell of love and woodsmoke,the heartbeat of silenceresonates off bare walls….no money, little food, tomorrowto look for work……always tomorrow!the sound of gunfire, and children’s voiceshaunt the back of memory forgotten…..they called it history, the great change….maybe…

riot squads, sent by gods,to lash out and attack….fear oppressive, greed obsessive,the plantation ran by force!slaves kicking chains, runaway train,let the river run its course!faces on hands, hands on heart.a small fire strong against the dark.all God’s children doing their part…faces on hands, hands on heart!

for the words your eyes whisperwhen you laugh…for the song your heart sings,and the prayer your sleeping bodybecomes, pressed against mine.for the sound of the cicadaschanting in drunken rhythm…for the boiling of beansin my grandmother’s kitchen.for the crush of the batdriving the ball deep into the gap.for the gurgle of creekwaterrunning o’er a melon wedged…

i want the sound of your bare feetwalking across the roomto my heart…to show me!

even the trees by the sideseem like old friends,every fork is sure!i thought i was going out,to find freedom and salvation.but i keep winding inward.the soft rain that fallsfeels like my own tears,the wind smells like my heart.the tiny shell on the shoreis smooth against my palm.i hold it to my ear,listening to the echoes…