TO BE ALONE

Do you know what it’s like to be alone

- away from any commune or home?

No father’s blessing

No mother’s bosom

No brother’s jesting

No sister’s guidance

Face against a wall of zipping wind

Collar frayed and to worn to stand

No friend(s) to count on

No priest to trust

Streaming tears of frustration

With no comfort, no release

No aunt’s admiration

No uncle’s money

No grandparent’s love

Intelligent mind racing alone

Inside the secret labyrinth,

Cave of inwardness,

Away from clinging to each other,

Clinging on to life.

No prayer, no word ever heard

No warm touch from a friend’s hand

- family dried up and gone.

Not even a little help from my friends