Those sleeping in their stones
have heard the bell
that rings at both
the beginning and the end.
Do not mistake their quiet
for disappearance:
they have only sunk back
into the intimacy
of infinity.
They are only
bathing in the darkness—
holding the chalice
from which we all
drink the stars.
They would show us how to claim
our original names.
They would show us
how trees begun in barren land
grow green and decisive,
standing guard over
precious necessary water
by keeping themselves
alive.
