Ancient Rock

Saint Paul, 15 September 2003

A sacred lithology covers

The archetypal marks

Of whence we came.

Our forebears lay fallow

In crevasses and throats

Of road-cut rains.

Deposits of myths echo

On warm respiring pelts

Coarse transcriptions wait.

Vast wreaths of homage cover

Few repeated symbols

Over burnished slate.

An ancient rock depicts us

In piercing fine whispers

Of primitive waters.

Red dye of minerals call

In the deep curves and gestures

Of fertile daughters.