Artist's Chisel
(c) 2002 Herb Hasler

Waking to the whispered cries of hidden pain,
Imagining my touch could release her despair,
Watching the flood of secret tears pass
through a broken damn of walled emotions.

My mind hovers above, searching for something
to hold on to, something to unplug so
her carefully protected hurt will drain away
and be lost in the cracks of our past.

But there is no such magic for this hummingbird
that flutters around a well-scented silk flower.
A warm embrace comforts, but thoughtful,
kind words bring only a polite smile.

Cement walls cover this delicate, beautiful porcelain,
glimpsed only teasingly through ever changing cracks.
Desire picks up a sledgehammer, but understanding
whittles it to an artist's chisel, wielded by compassion and love.