Slight space to look through
To see the outside world
By parting cloth curtains
A sliver of reality appears
In slippers and pajamas
Comforted by coffee cup
Sunlight seen only through glass
Bright birds dancing about
And squirrels absurdly playing
Looking at wet grass grow
So every so slowly
Noticing children’s laughter
Heard from all around
Not seen but certainly there
As if by hide and seek
The same hiding inside
But not for fun and joy
By lack of light imposing
A penance wished up
So no more pain and hurt
Can sneak up on him
To feed him lies and deceit

With turned up collars
Coming in from the cold
All down to the cellar
Looking tired and old

At the table sitting
With steam rising from cups
Their circumstances fitting
Their missions in flux

They report their findings
While taking detailed notes
While secrecy is binding
While remaining in their coats

New tasks are issued
To discover the truth
With their nights continued
As they have from their youth

Tearing down the walls
Between the truth and lies
Waiting for the call
When the moment does arise

Leaning onto a wooden ledge
I have leapt from many times
With shoes placed firmly
Steadily on a brass rail
With empty stools and chairs
Surrounding me for a while
Money burning in my pockets  
As I wave for service, again
My indignities have been counted
Only to be given the same look
My hand steadies the glass
Only filled with a stench
My breath can only share
As I realize no more libations
Will be provided this night
I shake my head for a time
Never believing this moment
But smile with understanding
That enough is measured
By those who have plenty
Never by those who need
And lack the will to stop

Coordination is the key
With subtle talk and letters
Speaking in coded ways
For it is all a secret, you know
Not for hiding from the world
But for our purposeful play
To see and be and join together
On sparring days of ecstasy
With strawberries and cream
For the pauses from our joys
And with a bag of toys
Filled with plastics and ropes
For getting back to business
But not without smiles
And with a little laughter too
Then, after a long day
We join also in slumber
To be still under sheets
Which were twisted earlier
And not to lie still
On the spot made together
In the center of our chamber
While outside, chaos swirls
We find even more comfort
In a cool, quiet room
And with each other

It rang and sang
My ears begged for more
My mind tried to keep up
While I heard the roar

It moved and soothe
To words that sprung
As I moved my feet
To climb another rung

It shocked and rocked
My body to the core
It left me soaked
Like washing at the shore

It flew and grew
With air pushing out
The lyrics being screamed
Through the audience’s shouts

It lifted and gifted
My soul to the air
As I wet my lips
To sing, I would dare

Thrown with all our might
From the surrounding crowd
By one hand threatening
To make a world blind
By shiny glass filled
With earth’s fluid fire
As it spins from screams
Only in anger meant
Striking the ground
And showering shields held
With rage and red might
Testing patience and duty
Of stained blue armor
And thus, no more waiting
As the race began
With one leaving
And another chasing quickly
To find a corner to turn
With barricades to change our minds
Since the smoke sting eyes
And throats left dry
We cower in wished pain
As all kindness burns away

Fallen with a thud
And left for dead
It was easier that way
From what they said
With no supplies
Not a compass or map
Nor water or food
Not a single scrap
Only with will
And remaining dignity
It was time
To think differently
Shuddering with cold
By wet clothes
With passing time
One would have froze
Lifting to feet
Breath took deeply
Raising courage
From a place meekly
One step up
Was simply needed
To move forward
A purpose seeded