We Have Arrived.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

the way to survive
this ordeal, after 54 years
of intimacy, as the rest of
the remaining moments, detest,
what is here, and what comes,
is to keep the silence,

this fragile flower amidst
the rocks, at the top of this
cliff, the strong winds roar,
leaves have no more ears,
and the feet of shrubs no
longer creep, it is....

this silence that we keep,
that promises us, not to touch,
a wound, our blindness heals,
our numbness assures the years,

it is this institution, this door
which we freely open, and this room
which we without haste, enter...

there is no time to talk about it,
we have arrived.Well split, like
wood, we are ready for the fire.