1977

I stand outside the gate you told me of
I hold my smile firmly to my lips,
though it clucks and chitters nervously.
Within the beating pulse of silence I
Just listen for the one who's waiting there
But brittle breaking laughter bursts on me.
I know I can't be seen but I am there
I'm hotly naked in the company.
A voice inside me speaks in poetry.
It tells me that I am a fire pulled
By foreign winds and burning smokily.
Alone, I'll run in molten purity.
Then bitterly I smash my foolish pride --
you silly girl, quiet run and hide.