wilting to captivity


One dark night I fled to the wood

I hid in the dark as though I could

I brought a basket of things with me

things that I would use for captivity


I read somewhere of roses and rain

and it was sure to pour that night in vain

yet I was there to capture its wealth

to grow in its shower of loving health


and in the great clearing I sat down

set the roses out with me to drown

and kissed each petal before it died

let the rain cradle my tears as I cried


words sped suddenly from my lips

words of truth I gave way to slip

I rushed forth to sing my prayers

as the flower came apart layer by layer


sweet hyms were sent to sky that night

before the sun dried the earth with light

and I awoke though I had not slept

the rain was gone and yet I wept


I had offered myself to captivity

perhaps for you and even for me

long I would plead and would have bled

I had watched rivers take petals of red


in the mist of the forest clearing there

stood my heart empty and bare

prayed for captivity, to come take hold

with iron clasps and chains of gold