I Have No More Words

By: Calvin Black

All the men say they believe

the women pray unceasingly

and children repeat the creed

but I have no more words

Speak the truth even if

your feelings can't be trusted

revelation

tears open

the real

but I have words no more

The business of faith

the politics of the holy

have left me numb

dumb

and found

wanting

and I have no more words

Find a moment and collect

gather in bruised arms

pull at your heart,

draw it to your head,

and take the words to heal

All the men deny their faith

the women curse unceasingly

and children recant and bleed

but I have not a word

This cruel crushing life,

joy-filled hurt happening and

sucking hope from

parent's hearts

leaving vacuums of sorrow

no reasons

no answers

just spaces

of

what

was

but I have no more words

Calvin Black is a clinical counsellor and pastor living in Victoria, B.C. Canada. His research interests include Narrative Therapy, Pyrotheology, and Anxiety.