Anam Cara

THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE

Oblique to the heart, the word a man seeks

Seldom comes to life in a tongue of flame

From the grate of silence where anger dreams

And stutters in embers thought cannot reach.

When the voice remains fettered, it grows cold

All over the neighbourhood of the word.

In the heart distance cries out to be heard,

When night burns with the face of the beloved.

He is old, yet still betrothed to her dream

That took their home into its possession.

He dwells beside her, anxious and alone.

Hopes when this ends, he will reach her again.

They search the crowd for the child who is gone.

He tells the strangers that it is his son.