Drained – a guest poet
Keith Errington is no doubt best known in steampunk circles for his comedic work. He’s performed with the Hopeless, Maine crew on a number of occasions, the first of which was right at the beginning of our figuring out how to get Hopeless onto a stage. He’s previously written a novella in the Hopeless setting – The Oddatsea and has been working with me on another Hopeless novella we hope to get out into the world next year.
It gives me great delight to be able to share some of his more serious work here. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this sort of thing.
Drained
When the tide is low, and the lake’s water has returned to the air
When the river can flow no more, and the spring bubbles its last
There is no more.
When the sea is calm, and the wind has all blown out
When the clouds have turned to grey, and the sun rises no more
What is left?
When the child has cried every tear, and the artist can no longer express grief
When the Nurse is out of care, and the mother can tend no more
Where is the love?
When the trees have withered, and the grass is returned to soil
When the flowers are weeds, and the fields are sand
What will grow there?
When the deer is slain, and the last rhino dead
When the birds are grounded and fly no more
Where can you go?
When the heron is dying, and the snake is withering to skin
When the horned god has not the strength to carry on
What can he do?
A glint.
A sprout.
An egg.
A raindrop.
A breath.
A smile.
Keith Errington
