Four

Photo Credit: Matthew Henry

Four

You only call me when you are happy
drawing out celebrations
from collapsed veins and shadow grins
that are used to taking the bitter wine
and the salty bread with cracked lips

You always keep the conversation light
dancing around the sadness I carry
you called it the Great Sadness once
I have never been more unseen
more invisible to the Beauty

You never ask if the burden is heavy
incoming - daggered emotions
named with adjectives and spite
dressed in melody and paint
I’ve seen your face go white

You afford me some status
that takes too much to name
I am carelessly dancing with madness
and stubbornly in bed with shame
until old age softens me

You might see me become childlike
with good spaces to hold
groaning within this life
dripping with gold
a priest and a prophet of knowing