To Whisper to the Dark

I came tonight
To where the crescent moon glows
In deepest blue
Over brightest copper
Behind the dark outlines
Of age-old pines

I came because here
Nothing has changed
When everything has

I came to watch tiny lights bob carelessly
Over the rising grasses
And listen to the lonely train whistles
Miles away
And to breathe again

I was a little sick to my stomach
As we drove to that quiet room
Knowing it was coming
Yet shell-shocked when we left
Despite all efforts to be prepared

I was too busy to feel much
Too much to learn
Too many people to meet
Sandwiches to pack
Hours to drive
Holding my breath
Until now

I came tonight
To where the crescent moon glows
In deepest blue
Over brightest copper
To breathe again

Today I fought for them
I scanned reports
I e-mailed specialists
I knocked on offices
Today I put my hands to boulders
And my axe to trees
To clear a way for them
But tonight I came to breathe

To let out the ache
That begs for air
To lift my eyes
To the depths of the universe
And whisper that this hurts

I've come to sort emotions
Tangled beyond recognition
The grief from hope
The relief from sorrow
The immeasurable pride
At the maturity with which
She's taken this news
From the horror that any ten year old
Should have to be so mature

I came tonight to watch the grasses
Lit by the streetlight
Long after the sky is nothing but dark
To let the ripples settle a bit
From the latest stone
Tossed into my heart

Today they rode bikes
In the golden evening
Eyes bright
As if nothing had changed
And I can't decide whether that
Is beauty
Or tragedy

I came tonight
To where the crescent moon glows
In the deepest blue
Over the brightest copper
Behind the dark outlines
Of age-old pines

Because here nothing has changed
When everything has
I came to let out the ache
To whisper to the dark
To settle the ripples
And to breathe