It's the one whose words should heal us
that wound us most deeply.

a blue sky
broken by clouds
has more character

It's never just one time.
We awaken
again and again,
much less faithfully than the sun
but no less splendidly.

The clouds above me ripple
off and off and off like waves.

I lie beneath them
trapped but unafraid
their curving contours soothe me
with soft gray thoughts of submersion
broken here or there by silver gold staircases
beams of sunlight leading my heart upward
in peaceful reverie.

Did I glimpse the face of God?

It's hard to believe
my sleep sticky eyes

So I blink in doubt

But even disbelief
Succumbs to the splendor of stars
and the beauty of love

You speak and you slash
Surprised, shocked, I do not run

In moments
my once whole heart
Is shredded

To you it is nothing less than normal
To me it is a throbbing lifelong wound

I saw blue sky
sweet and tender
bright and faithful

tucked between
rain and fog
clouds and drear

like a sudden
breath of hope