Essence
Essence Aleph (the First) I am made of stories. Crafted and freely told, borrowed and begrudging sold I am the speech of saints and sinners I am the words your forebears said I am tales told by the winners I am the whispers of the dead A misremembered hazy night A joke shared between kin and kith A mystery brought into light People now consigned to myth Hebraic mountains and Mithraic caves Sealed tombs and open graves Stories of sweet summers, and epic plays The first, the last, the end of days. Beth (the Second) I am made of songs. To lure to bed and lull goodnight Swapped for suppers To bring the light The radio from a passing car Sea-shanties and hymns of praise The faintest beating of a heart Last year's latest dance-hall craze Football chants and infants' cries The pealing and the toll of bells Faltered prayers that fail to rise The chamber-choir inside a shell The notes that tarry...