Irish Spring

A cross the Great Divide

02Mayl2001: GlenCholmCille, Co. Donegal, Ireland
(for Jessie Galuska and Mary Condren)

What split the circle and separated us two apart
one from the other, one from one?
When did the Great Divide arise betwixt all of us
this vast gulf of silent space?
Where can we find the means to breach this wal
l fostering quiet miscommunication?
How will we find a place where open and honest
words bring the circle back again?

Can we bridge the gap
Honor the cave and light?
We have to bridge the gap
Embrace our shadows.

The two arms of the cross have lost their equality
no longer elemental quaternary.
One line stands tall, straight and long - vertical
leading the righteous to a reward.
The other truncated line lies supine - horizontal
limiting the heights & who can aspire.
Heaven and Earth divided, distanced by an act
of the sacrificial slaying of our Sun.

Won't you mind the gap
All ways strive toward light.
We have to mind the gap
Lest our shadows reign.

I reach across this distance which separates us
to touch, to hold your hand.
Walk with me across the sands to see the stars
a horror causes you to recoil.
There is this perception every allusion to connection
carries some denial of the person.
Or that in appealing to the state of our biology
these other selves are sublimated.

Won't you mind the gap
All ways strive toward light.
We have to mind the gap
Lest our shadows reign.

In this arena of discourse there is only stale silence
brought to bear by our gender.
Our masked games of attraction & keep the distance
leave us all the more confused.
The gaze which seeks out the form looks to the eyes
to see the light & shadows there.
The sacred is found in the sparks lighting this darkness
solve et coagula - dissolve by union.

Can we bridge the gap
Honor the cave and light?
We have to bridge the gap
Embrace our shadows.