in deep violet hours
pondering into my heavy hands
I spell the word intent
watch it dance across my life line
cross the t over my heart
indicated and indicted

some time ago I drew these reins
a part time horse thief
but the spook in your eyes
forced an evaluation;
a question of nobility
an answer unfolding

strange calmness
pitched entrapments to the wind
laid me bare and called me out
stopped the painting of
a thousand self-portraits
camera obscura bent to plead

thunderclouds clapped
spoke to me four words
ancient to my future
spoke them with you
thousands of times, near and far
flowering and seeding at once

my hands ponder that word
hold my worth
the simple cloth of change
rivers that lead me home
barbs that can no longer scar
and the surprise

of a most unexpected treasure

© Tom Watters  11/14/07