it is not until the chaos shatters like plaster potentates
and silence descends once more over this concrete realm
that I surreptitiously sense, clever me, the unintended tide
of mindful peace raped and buried beneath callous clay
sheathed in aggravation and lewdly perpetual plastic
for a time I am so taken aback by the sudden stillness that
I want nothing more than to wander unhindered unseen
relishing the man-forsaken beauty of a world untouched
surroundings unconquered by greedy grasping seekers
of gain and gaudy jewels and lascivious extravagance
but the silence has revealed a greater mystery besides
some unexpected boon that boldly travels with winds
that even now do seek the dismal dust of plutocrian past
to disperse and thereby my bitter bruised spirit to uphold
leading me forth on paths unseen to I know not where
my once weary eyes now eagerly peer through trees
in this thickly wooded vale stretching out from the foot
of a majestic mountain whose peak I have never seen
so brazen and bold was the city that once stood here
jealously sealing from view the outside world of green
deeper into the forest I wander, following the breeze
that is more than air billowing around me, but a song
yes, a song indeed, I now discern and am enchanted
my steps quickening as the excitement swells within
longing to reach the source of this most perfect melody
when at once the trees part to reveal an idyllic meadow
gently cradled on all sides by the maternal forest eternal
nourished by the warm fatherly illumination from above
and fed by a stream which was in fact the very source
of the music I had sought, clear waters lapping a lullaby
obediently my legs bend and breast-bared I sit at once
and await sleep to come, warmed by waves of sunlight
but mischievous mother has one more secret to share
yet hidden to me beneath the canopy of brawny oaks
across the sweetly babbling stream whose song I crave
now at last do they descend from broad branches high
onto the grassy stage before me their arms entwined
their bare legs boldly beating the air in rich harmony
of sensual movement and subtle love-granting grace
these fawns of the forest, these alley dimmed dancers
I sit and wonder at their beauty, but more than this
I ponder their utter familiarity to my urban-crusted soul
and at once I realize in harsh humility and ponderous
shame that these too were of us, these nubile creatures
whose selfless nobility had earned them abject rejection
cast out were they for being ever naught but themselves
the very essence of humble humanity, life-affirming
nature-adoring colors flowing from an impious palette
solicitous I rise to my feet, spirit naked, and step across
and impishly they, without a word, embrace me as one
Salt Lake City 11 May 2012
George Ellington 