heathen

part of you is in a desert
part of you is on a throne
a beggar in a palace
a barefoot king without a home

your age this age never combined
them behind what you could feel
you behind what they could build
your hand upon a foreign wheel

way too old for all their wisdoms
for love forever too young
and still nobody’s father
nor anymore anyone’s son

a warrior trained to fight for peace
a crucifix sword a boy
sent forth to build but who found
nothing but what he must destroy

1974