Warm Rooms and Cold

—In memory of Marvin Bell

Because countless shadows populate this world

And because children like me leave finger prints

On windows you are given the speaker’s staff

And because the other sides of men and women

Rank their inhibitions and because the stone

Contracts with evening you are given the staff

And you hold it close and still so its a sun dial

In the midst of confusion its a marine instrument

You are given the speaker’s staff yes

Ex nihilo a song starts slowly you have it

Because you were steady and knew

When your turn would come

And would hold counsel because

Without actually knowing because

The rains arrive on time because

Because a free man like no one else