Path Toward

an Understanding
for David Clewell

Have you reckoned

with death
in the dark center
of your bones?

If you haven’t
you must.

Have you wrestled

with your fear
of what must
come?

If you can’t
you will.

Have you seen

future collapse
into present
without past?

If not
relish the depths

until the emptiness

you were
becomes the emptiness
you are.
 II

Seed
becomes
plant
becomes
fallen
leaf.

Come
home
to
night’s
center.

III

Weep
for a world
in crisis.

Race
toward
an open door.

Make
what our times
require.

Shape
what space
deplores

into a singular
form no one
can ignore.
IV

David,
you’ve
become
your books.