The Last Time

This is the last 

time we will speak, 

though you don’t

know. The Earth 

will shake 

at your departure,

some rejoice

as hyenas 

braying with the sight 

of the lion’s

blood; 

others shake

with sadness and frothing

wrath, for your shadow

never stoked

fear to open hearts,

but gave respite 

from the angry tongues 

that sap all hope 

when lost 

in this desolate

land. This suffocating 

storm that silences 

truth with thunder

and shuns 

grace with bolts

of fire pours its deluge

upon the wandering

without end. 

Yet, as the floodwaters 

rise, sweeping

away drowned

sheep, your lion’s

call will always

guide us

back from these cold 

shores into the warmth

of the willows

where the light

welcomes all

with songs of sweet

serenity.