He stands alone
as he has learned to stand;
a dead man rising back to life.

The gathered water at his feet reflects him.
Reflects him, who has never stood before it;
rainwater could not tell the truth.

The trees are still,
waiting to be reborn like him.
But it is so hard to escape
from tight graveclothes,
hard to remember how to be free.
Hard to forget.

The trees offer an apology of red leaves.

He stands alone,
but he has learned to stand.

09/12/2006

Author's Note: In response to a photograph of the same title by Taryn Simon from her exhibit "The Innocents."

Posted on 09/12/2006
Copyright © 2024 Stephanie Kent