I asked for courage
––well, take mine, you said,
For the good it will do
All the quick
and the dead;
And the rebels of East-er

Protesting rebirth…
Like all that we had
is all we are worth

I asked how to play this
––With both hands, you said,
And the drum of your feet
And a sweep
of your head:
You drag and leave hanging

The tail of your shirt…
Like all that we did
Is all that we were

I asked to re-member
––and just what? you said,
And shook out the leaves
From the folds
of the bed
That drifted below us

And back into trees…
Like all that we are
Is all we will be

Had I the courage
That my hunger knew
I’d stand to consume
my hat and my shoe;
in hopes that their traveling ways
would lead us, would lead us

like this holy hour now
isn’t enough
is not enough

I asked for courage
––well, take mine, you said,
For the good it will do