a lone crumpled sheet of paper

(perhaps a shopping list
or the reminder of a chore,
possibly a lovelorn note
or some verse best left to silence)

caressed by the fingers of a cold wind
tumbles with the dust
across the darkened road

teeters on the edge of sight

and is gone

your words touch me
like the poets of persia

solitary
melancholy
but with a hint of grace
as cool as the night winds

come
sit beside me
drink from my cup
tell me of your day

i will listen long
into the evening
while the embers of the fire
grow as cold
as the voices
who would mock us

the haze of the horizon is cool promises entices invites us
to finish this weary journey on which we have chosen
to walk together across the wastes away from canaan

you are still beside me as you have always been
since nearly the beginning and will be until
the end of days graces us with the bliss of the forgetfulness
of life for which i have long craved since i realized
they were more interested in gratification than salvation

you though never wavered sharing both my bed and teachings
and accepting them as one and the same
you though never wavered and i watch in amazement
humbled that such love and devotion can come
from one who is born out of clay

when they nailed my soul to the tree
when i believed that all was lost and my father had deserted me
when i watched the sadness of a mother outliving her son
when they cast lots for my clothes
when they mocked me and those around me
ever you stayed and quietly accepted our fate

the others turned fled denied who i was to them and myself
the others questioned even when you came back from the tomb
to tell them that death had been defeated by faith
the others gave way to the mobs and only returned
when they deemed it safe and the sole avenue offered
for them to receive repentance for their fears

you though never wavered ignoring the taunts and doubts
of how i could forgive a past and sins that were beyond your control
you though never wavered and as i reach to gently touch your cheek
entranced by the beauty that the worries of life have etched on your face
i realize finally what true faith and love can mean when two souls unite

so allow me to carry your burden for awhile down this path
and perhaps together we can find the peace we so crave

once we reach kashmir