Silence

the solitary five-point star

on the east side

of the faded red barn

down the hillside

with only inner light

welcomes me each morning

to the colors

the day’s about

all those years

working at assigned tasks

chosen labors

surrounded by shadows

and apparitions

from another life

by angry voices of men

and desperation and

questions from women and hope

and laughter and tears

of children and

so many footfalls

on busy streets

down dusty halls

what was i listening to

what do i remember

what travels with me now

silence my old companion greets me

already seated at the window

in the dark watching

for the rising light waiting

with indifference to see

how far this world goes