The
Glow of the Asylum WallsThey stood like ashes against a stone wall,
Sideways glances, in terror echoing each other's eyes.
And she sat, knees drawn up, looking out into the unknown,
Seeing the wasteland stretched, yawning before her
Waking up and trembling in dust-covered mirage.
The ground shook and chasms fell away hollow
Beneath them, and one turned and fell screaming,
Fingernails clawing the wall leaving behind trails of blood.
And love watched them from the other side of the wall,
Eyes sad and wet with time-tested wisdom,
Willing them to see...
If you just keep walking, maybe, in the end, you'll get somewhere.
Somewhere close to me.
Beyond the dust bowl shimmering, there is an oasis.
Beyond the edge of the ghost towns there are plowed fields,
And if you look long and hard, there is a dark forest.
Fall into it, fall down, sliding out of control in each other's arms,
And in it there is a quiet valley and a little bubbling brook;
Amongst the moss and stones, there are sacred lessons to teach.
But first you must look inside to the fear in there,
Dare past the unknown perils of destroying to construct.
Then when you are ready, sit on a fallen log and listen:
Look to the treetops and the edges of the valley
In a ring protecting and hiding you.
Sit still and long and grow roots.
And thinking, ceasing to think, your roots will grow thick
Tangle securely with the ones already there,
And mingle with the growing roots of your companions.
And in some tangled unity, grow ancient and become wise.
Hear the stones sing to the animals as they always have;
Learn the language of the stream like that of your Mother.
Drink deeply from her and feel her movement, her breathing, and dance.
Memories of the wasteland like fallen limbs dropping away,
Shedding the bark of damaged and broken humanity,
Knowing your place is here now forever.
And when your humanity catches up with you,
And you shiver and curl up against the cold,
It is time to go, climb up and out, bringing your treasure with you.
This strange scintillating peace with unity just beyond,
Is always ready to be called upon.
From simple journeys through the places in dreams,
From stories read to you when you were just a child,
Right there in the corner of your eye,
Trust, and you can get there in a moment.
Before you next look in terror at your friend,
As he looks back at you in shame,
Run, children, let your heart run to that valley in the woods,
Listen to that stream, and love that man standing next to you.
Open the empty eyes of that girl staring into the wasteland,
Bandage the bleeding hands of the one fallen,
In his scraping down impenetrable walls.
Walk lightly around the gaping chasms
And winding streets which try to lose you.
So when dawn came, they all stood together
And looked to the other side of the wall,
Saw love everywhere and knew,
That eventually they would all reach that forest valley
And mingle their roots straight down into the
Living breathing heart of the earth.