Dream of the Wind

A Dream of the Wind

by Marcus Colasurdo

When the red dawn finally explodes

   upon our land

and the earth covering the hundred million

  trembles-

A new people will appear

   wearing symbols on their cloaks.

They will speak a language

   from the lips of the caves

of copper

and they will carry their shelter on their backs.

They will travel by foot

    and worship

the horses that still run free.

At night

   they will gather near fires

   preparing the food;

etching blankets and belts

   from what is left.

The women will measure great distances

   by charting the cross-eyed stars:

for these will be a people

   who have known imperfection.

The men will stretch tents into drums,

   thinking of new melodies:

for these will be a people

   who have known great silence.

The children will pantomime

   the sway of the trees:

for these will be a people

   of whom nothing is known.