in a clearing

I have had the privilege of spending a few days doing nothing but practicing friendship with a group of men who care deeply for one another. This poem grew out of the observations of one of them as we sat on the porch together after dinner last night.

in a clearing

the room held silence save the sound of men clearing their throats but I would be remiss to say the silence

was broken by their wordless utterances nor was it interrupted the sound accompanied the silence as we sat alongside one another

to clear is to free from obstruction which begs these questions

what lies behind the clearing? what is struggling to surface? what has been left unsaid? what blockage keeps returning? what wisdom yearns to awaken? what lament? what joy? what wants to be given?

we sat silently in a room save the sound of us clearing our throats guttural gestures of grace of solidarity and friendship

speak if you must but for now let us sit silently together in a clearing

Peace, Milton