Darkened Rooms

darkened rooms dot the fiery landscape
eerie in the shadows of impending gloom
masking the startling evidence of the gloaming-apparent

and they shimmer

gods and goddesses step down from perfect pedestals
greeting us with a kindness derived from the universe
sniffing our hair to find the unfamiliar scent of
modern day, the tell-tale traces of civilization

they do not know how to speak to us, as we have all
but abandoned the language; they do not know how
to hear us, as less and less often
do we sound the voice of our souls

they merely stare at us curiously, tilting their heads
in wonder, in a growing sense of disbelief
stooping down from immaculate pedestals
kneeling . . . almost, to peer closely at our faces so\
forlorn, sniffing our hair in mute despair, watching
our mouths move with impotent frustration

“we’ve stayed away too long” muttered one gruffly
and wiped away a stray tear, while
Artemis patted his shoulder awkwardly
saying, “come . . . mayhap we can find a Seer.”

Copyright mds. 2000. All Rights Reserved