Waiting
for the
audience
to come to him ...
He refused
to go to them

Shunning
those ears
that hide
from the truth ...
Like a rose
without its stem

Working
in concert
with Muses
above ...
What’s sacred
to remain

Each word
and its
treasure
a gift given once ...
Their measure
— to proclaim

(Dreamsleep: August, 2025)