Sudden Stroke
By Brooks
had I known yesterday how today I would long for any part of any word I would have sung three hosannas after each syllable had I known I would never again hear from you words that told of your inner world I would have memorized for us both our private language of gestures had I known the pattern of our dance was so directed by words I would have etched our language onto a wall of names where we could have pointed to meaning had I known I would have to translate the poetry in your eyes into my own words I would have long ago looked more deeply had I known this could happen to you who used words with Zen elegance the map that led me to my own words might have been lost had I remembered how quickly change takes its stance I might have bargained with some god stressing your goodness and gifts offering to give up my own words for yours
©2002 Brooks