Orbit

Strong-willed walls built high

He sees - he hears 

     but the choice is made.

Like the old man who swears

     the Earth is the center

     while Michelangelo shows 

     proof against

But the planets make their orbits

     like salvation around a son.

A son that burns bright, and I pray that light

     will penetrate a cloudy soul

     to change the choice.

- for S.T. 

Mongolian Orphans

The following was written in Ulaan-Bataar, Mongolia after visiting a government-run orphanage.


They sit together, alone
clinging to strangers
     hoping... ever hoping
to find the elusive -
that which is patient and kind
     and keeps no record of wrongs.
wilted flowers all
     groping for life
    for beauty.
I saw it with eyes opened
     that had been closed.