THE REPRIEVE

Can I stop
to listen -
I mean really listen
to the stillness of breath
Can I look -
I mean really look
at the swaying silhouettes of trees
choreographed
on the walls of my mind
Can I summon -
I mean really summon
enough energy, patience
and strength
to swim out against the surging
tides
of quotidian concerns
and sensual proclivities
in order to
deconstruct
detoxify
and demystify
the language
of silence
frozen into icicles
Time has melted
and droplets of fire
burn tapestries
on my forehead
while the papyrus
of my consciousness
is being steadily
written upon
Once accomplished
the stylus will fall
into stasis