Judith Adams

The Elder

Strange to be living at the outpost.
Sometimes I wonder what is going on
behind those walls.

People seem to celebrate
something or other all day long.
The market place noisy, the music

Good. If you are tired of telling tales,
I understand, I have done that kind of
commerce. You too will grow older

and make your way here.
The view across the landscape
Especially at sunset is lovely.

Every day it is easier to impress
Yourself, you grow fond of the
Slow moving hour as your witness.

You grow fond of your own dancing
each night more erotic
More passionate, more complete.

Finally you have found a way to
worship and it doesn't involve
praying in unison, kneeling

at noon, or bowing to anyone.
It takes a lot of youth to
pry open the stiff and difficult

borders of the heart, forget the
tools, the expense is not worth it.
You need strong fingers a

devotion not always found in mosques
Or churches. It is a holy day today
you are peeling away the of

inner fortress, And there you
Are innocent of any
spoken word.