your voice has always been
the tremolos in each sunset
though my mind�s ear could
never hear the soft unfolding
keys opening in the pink distance
nor the quivering yellow streams
down the day�s naked back
just the ordinary blues
of everyday lack

til now
as we three
the world and me
move inside you
as I lean to kiss your skylids
the first drumbeats by the river
the first snakebitten Indian
the cry of the one hawk

the first rain the first rain dance
the largest wing span of the most endangered species
the sound of the britches of the firmament ripping
goodies dropping down like beads of sweat
as we move into the place
where our senses left

soon they�ll be knocking at the door
an ancient Egyptian firm
that claims they did the Pyramids
to give a quick assessment of the damage
and repair all the clocks that we sent reeling
and stitch the holes in the britches
where we slipped in and disappeared


yes, soon we�ll have to rise
like the need for miracles and water
and find our legs for walking
but til then we shall breathe
like flowers must
at one with the suspiration of the universe
and all that�s lyrical and true
can rest right here
on my chest


�2007 by Ray Sweatman