The Calm Light

It’s not, but the calm
And pervasive light
Seems to be welling

Up out of the soil.
The Earth is a sun,
And you’re a witness.

Tell us a story
About the boy who
Cried lamb and then fired.

Be prepared to shoot
At all times. It’s all
Foolish isn’t it?

And yet foolishness
Hurts. The boy’s rifle
Fatally wounded

The lamb. The story
Wounded the teller.
The telling wounded

The story, which died
Chasing its own myth,
Yet left behind strong joy.

The calm light swells
Up out of the world,
And you’re the witness.