All mouth and throbbing with the need to
speak they arrive, heels printing into the earth
a colon: the introduction of much
to come. They stand outside
dreams at the foot of your bed, scrolls of their tongues
unfurling, important, blessed tongues
written with indelible ink.
Listen. Someone is dying. Even this
made beautiful.
Proclaim the glory of everyday
life, bruises and the sweet flesh of earlobe. Swallow
the love you are given.
Hear me. Unto you a gift is given, no
strings attached. You are favoured. You are
whole.
Fall on your face and seek wine in the dry
valley. Find flesh among bones. Miracles
are prepared for the tasting.
And you startle at their voices, each
syllable a fire-fly in the ear, flicker and spark
upon waking. This may have been a dream, this
may have been more.
Funk, Carla. "Messengers" Introductions: Poets Present Poets. Markham: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2001.
