A Ritualistic Reaching
From the ground like a tree grows,
Up and down side to side cracked grain
Emerges through layers and stows
Goals like sun in a green vein,
Forward and back it reaches
From body to bird-stained sky,
And man in ritual preaches
That the only aim worthy is high,
Up, not down into Earth.
Go not against the grain,
A double negative and a dearth
Of life spring dirt and rain,
Our origin, a home we make ritual to replicate
And keep others from searching through history but I
Am here reaching out for something and the grain
I was warned to go not against is guarding but one truth -
That it is only valued when visible,
only honored when polished to sheen.
Give me a reason and I’ll
Reach through that crack
Decimate the ritual while
Aiming forward and back,
And that grain won’t go quiet that goal won’t be lost,
Neither will I go unscathed from the stains that I’ve caused.