It all means
Nothing
Says a book I read
And I walk through summery air
Watching the women
In their frocks of color,
Buttercup, rose, vermillion, ivory
Bright like flowers
Which line a garden path
And in this room
A woman I know
Dozes
Over newsprint
Death and torture,
Her ponytail (bound with bandanna, crimson)
Points to heaven
It’s graduation day
On the local campus, and the streets I walked this
Morning
Were filled with beautiful ravens;
They each wore wings of hope
Soon, my sleepy friend
Will rise and open like a blossom.
Birds forage in the trees
And in leafy park, a woman, ancient, weary,
Spreads crumbs for their sustenance
Over sunwarmed walkways
It all means
Nothing
Says a book of wisdom
And this day of sun
Will be chased away by a night of
Downpours,
To be followed
By a day of fog and shadow
And the graduates
Will drift to their tomorrows and forevers;
The birds will sing for mates,
The dozing woman in this room
Will dance and laugh and pray;
And it all means
Nothing
Says an ancient book
Like the words in every book,
Like the words I write to you;
You read, you smile,
And within your heart of wonder,
There is meaning.
