Emancipated Proclamation

Thou asks how far the wind blows

in fact I cannot tell

Or then how high the heavens

my prayers deep in the well

Thou asks if love comes truly

to one in greatest need

My answer spoken duly

of romance undecreed

Thou asks if truth be spoken

or written timeless down

My speech in patterns broken

unlettered and unfound

Thou asks if time be measured

beyond the last refrain

This moment hides the answer

—of that I can proclaim

(Dreamsleep: September, 2022)