The Mystery Written

it is the mystery written in the bed of pine needles, in the broken branch, in the bad place in the road. in the hours between 3 and 4 in the morning, when the spirit grieves itself with prayer. in the cool of the darkness, in the window cracked. in the homeless dog's eyes, as he stands in the road. in the box unopened for twenty years, in the eviction notice, and the lights cut off. in the kerosene heater, and potatoes strewn in the cellar. in the tear in the sheet, in worn out shoes. in love lost in waiting, adrift, searching for a light. in the answer that smells like dawn, and the smell of strong coffee!