Ruth Esther Gilmore

before the wake of dawn
when parrots begin their readings

and jungles growl like boiling rain
for those who have no mouth
to speak of pain experienced

by losing a loved one
be it through
a single line-held moment

or an endless drawn-out wait
for those alone i now speak

when you shoulder
your burden of pain
remember we are

the perfect holders
of hope for the future

this alone filling us
with confidence
enabling us to go on