the ground is rumbling/the air abuzz/with crashing water energies/
while the midnight skies above/salute it all - with silent cries of love
- Tighe O'Donoghue Ross
Niqaab-less dusk has found its beyond,
I show my face for its fissured beauty
without the need for layers; close to
the hand bearing Kauthar, night birds
have confused the light for morning.
Silencers have been stripped off
this body, and I cannot robe this skin
with linens of secrets - the resilience
I wore - as I appear not the way earth
covered every sown intent; I appear
as glass through which light breaks
and scatters in true form; I appear
above shadows, my caravans of cloaks
heavy velvet of pledges. These hands
will burn the ferocity of light through
its skin and will scab like rainbows
curving over skies. When your hand
will be raised to the direction of trees,
I will know the way to the shade of Tooba.
First exhibited online at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Arlington