stiffened wire

stiffened wire,
the kind put in place
before they pour the cement,

reinforcement,
the troops

tamping down
tramping down
packing the hard clay
into its place

cast iron
cast away
cast in a play
casting
a spell

a very
dry
spell

where the mud
is rock hard

and liquid but sits on the surface

that photo IS you,
proof of your identity

it's the law, for heaven's sake!
the Law!

to oppose this "proof"
in anyway could actually put you
behind bars

oh what a frightened,
terrified sheriff this must be

what a thing to teach a little child

you
are these squirmy little shapes,

you
are this one sound,

you
are dust,

you
are simply
a color

so small,
so weak,
so in danger

but wait...
wait!
the child sees,

and leaves
silently in the night

she simply isn't there
in the morning when you go to wake her


(or perhaps she is shot down in broad daylight
in the middle of the street
by the frightened sheriff)


it.can.not.be!   ...mind.is.speech.less

no answer
for this
One

and now it is you
who must open wide

must open to the Vastness,
the beyond all labels

and ask a real question
with all your Heart

What am I...
really?

without the mortar, bricks, and cement,
without the mold,
without any authority telling me,
without a map anyone has ever walked...
without any possibility of punishment...
or danger...
without a mother...
or a father...
without knowing
a single thing...