An Enforced Silence

 

An Enforced Silence

(“…they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in the province of Asia.” Acts 16:6)

Full of sentences, a pen dragging ink across scratchy parchment.
Will anyone read? A paper balloon floating free
until
the candle burns out. Will anyone find it in the
washed-out wadis a mile from the road?

Full of journeys, the dead end surprised the minstrel with
too many miles on the road. Will anyone hear? A few strings of gut
vibrate against the golden gourd until the melody comes full circle.
Will anyone see the choirs in the trees?

Full of months and years, a wanderer
stops. Fully stops. And is quiet when the
words would break out like squalls in the desert.

And the seeds are sown in the enforced silence.