I am digging a hole in the earth to lie in
using the tools I’ve been given –
morning sun, drifting moon,
spaces between places
when I remember
to see where I am, recall my task.
“A life and death situation”
she said, across the bar, overheard.
Even these, spoken words from across a room,
of a place I’ll never see again,
I will take with me to the place I am preparing.
All the bits, the lost fragments,
the billion forgotten things
I string together to make a tool,
a pitted spade to turn the earth
to dig a hole for me to lie in.

May, 2013 – Des Moines, Iowa (sitting in a restaurant/bar while on a work trip.)