There is a difference he implied

between what you do— (write

your poems), and this book—

which had been published

and which he now held out 

(like a capitalist Eucharist)

before him as empirical evidence

of his claim’s veracity; the attention

toward profundity, cannot simply be. 

Cannot simply happen. As if 

there were no luminescence

inherent in the creative act,

no value to the happenstance.

Yet it does happen, 

as we happen. The ineffable silence

fills in what cannot be said—

no matter the credentials, or what

god waits to make the first move.

The writing, the process, the evolution 

of the text opens the word into light,

and power, and even glory

as has been done forever and ever.

(December 23, 2025)