Solace in Darkness



	I walk from 24th to 9th street
	and follow the circuitous route of water
	   up a hill
	   through a copse
	   past a church closed for the night
	to the swings
	of Centennial Park

	Bright with streetlights
	the trees scatter
	The stream goes silent
	and starless
	   even in the winter
	   at midnight


	No bridges cross the water
	to carousel horses
	   gone
	With no gods
	   old or new
	to wander
	to get lost within
	and walk out found
	I swing slowly
	   from right to left
	   then back
	again and again
	
	I pray for some sign
	for solace in darkness


	Gulls fly above in the shape of Orion's bow
	   tree branches dance along the banks
	   the shadows grow dark
	   imminence raises the hair of my arms
	The gulls' cries fade into north

	I wake the Oak King