No More Words
(March 30, 1994 4321 7th Ave Rock Island)
by David B. Rhaesa
 

What does a poet do when there is nothing left to write
When the terrors and horrors in his soul
defy expression
when the joys and ecstasies
of love
go far beyond the power of words
What does a poet do then?
I sit and hope that
the terrors and horrors
are merely figments
of my overactive imagination
I sit and hope that
the joys and ecstasies
will remain with me eternally
and I begin to
listen more closely to others
and I begin to
practice the poetic art
of staying quiet
of silence
golden silence
hearing a pin drop
in the next room
hearing the cries for freedom
from another continent far away
hearing the pain and agony
of an abused woman across town
hearing the reality
of the world
which I have fled
and escaped from for so long
and this time
I must face reality
squarely
and not flinch
and not back down
relieve myself of
all my cowardice
and through all the frightful moments
maintain
hope and faith
and above all
a serenity
which
relates to that state of mind
we call
peaceful.