What are we doing here?

 On such a day as this, this strangeness 

finding us hiding, singing behind

closed-up windows, eyes clenched against 

our own cold winds, our own dangers. 

We hold out our plates 

of earth, salt, and fear. 

Hold out our hands in prayer 

before trying again at sleep. 

Remain in hugs of silence as long 

as they know our names. Our arms and breath. 

We can walk away from it all at any time.  

As if dreamed. As if near awakened. 

To never be complete. 

-Larry Thacker