I come with inflamed cheek
that cools itself
on rigid quiet of grey stone wall
with silent eyes, searching buttressed heights
for angel whispers
immortal pause
invisible gauze floating sublimely around the promise of a dream.
The whispering gallery
breathes its word down into
multicolored orbs that glint and wink
fragments of illusion
in glass that is stained
feeding three tormented souls
empty on bread from nearby Salvation Army.
Shattered shard of maleficent murmurings
pressed to earth
rocking anguished
rocking wretched
rocking violence back into volition
converts on a shudder of calm
and takes a sidelong glance, hiding shame behind shaking palms.
Blinding shafts of envy
rainbow across the poor man's dream
illumined rigid by the wall
consoling his loneliness with a necklace
stringing misery
on a cord of hope
hope against hope, a jeweled rope of wondering sadness.
Unflinching mirror of fundamental illusion
sits in loud concentration of reflected pain
held aloof
beyond reproof
suffering, shared and changeless
fracturing, splintering
struck to silence.
I leave with inflamed cheek
compassion's fire
on respectful steps of solidarity
with silent eyes, full of grace
tracing angel whispers
immortal pause
invisible gauze floating sublimely around the promise of a dream.
– Jennifer van Westrum