I Heard a New Bird Singing

(To Lilith Lorraine)

On the rim of chaos

my ear was cupped

to hear hoofbeats on a country road

but I heard a new bird singing.

Piercing as a naked scimitar

cleaving the housewife warblings of the wrens

came its new song.

Its tongued lightning,

its sundering bass,

deep with the thunder of the gods,

shook my Jerico-walls of apathy

until they crumbled--

Through my trembling skeleton

I saw the world.

I heard a new bird singing,

merging its song with the Eagle's scream

until in exultant crescendo

it mingled with the shriek of shattered patterns.

I Wear His Lei

(To My Father)

I hear him saying,

"My child, through praying

     The waters of the sea of doubt

     Will part to let you safely through;

     Your soul will hear the silent shout

Of April crying,

'There is no dying,

     For death is but life's messenger.'

     I weave this lei of hope for you

     To ever wear." Though tears may blur

My eyes, his weaving

Illumes my grieving.