ALL THIS, BEFORE
I raced, I rushed, I ran,
to catch the empty hand of time,
before the wind, the blowing wind—
this breathless gift.
I willed, I worked, I wept,
to melt the frozen face of time,
before the sun, the burning sun—
this frenzied bone.
I drank, I danced, I dared,
to tempt the stony foot of time,
before the rain, the driving rain—
this raptured flame.
I leaped, I laughed, I loved,
to ease the burdened heart of time,
before the dust, the settling dust—
this flesh, this blood.