Master Deceiver

Silence is a master deceiver. It signifies nothing,

yet conceals more meaning than  words that  fill its space--

words, like bubbles, so delicate and evanescent 

that to speak them would destroy;

words, like lost ships sailing an uncertain course

trying for a destination, yet failing to come close;

words, like arrows in the bows of young men,

unknowingly sent forth in the wrong direction;

words, like leaves falling softy where they land

yet never taking place in their original home again

words, like kisses sweetly shared-- 

the love between a pair;

words, words that I cannot say, 

because there's silence there;

words I cannot wish away

the ones that must be heard; 

words I so desire to speak

they must not be inferred;

words whose silence leaves me weak

unspokenly  beat against my heart;

words, these words that pain me so--

I fear that we must part. 

Wild Grapes

What I wouldn't do for you--

Tender, sweet young vines of promise,

I blistered my hands under a burning sun when I built

your fences.

I exhausted every muscle when I constructed the watch tower

to keep my eyes on your delicate fruit

and I gave up the peace of the night to keep you safe

I broke my back and bruised my knees when I dug the soil 

at your base 

It pained my heart when I made the wine press

even though I knew you were made to be crushed between two stones

so you could become what I'd planted you to be. 

I cared more for you.  .  .

Yet you synthesized the sun for your spoil,

and took ravages from the soil;

favoring foul waters you 

spurned the sweet fountain

despite everything I did for you...

and I didn't know, couldn't know...

until I tasted your sour, wild grapes,

whose harsh acid I still taste on my tongue,

whose bitter flavor still makes me cry, and

whose smooth, firm skin still deceives my eye

I loved you,

but can do nothing with wild grapes.