Humanity's Footprints

In whispers, it is said, mouths

hidden behind walled hands,

that God’s words are found in the sound

of water; water pooling, trickling,

flowing in rivers, crackling across rocks.

It is thought as well, though no one admits,

cracked lips sealed tight lest the words excite,

that the devil is found in the sound

of sand; sand blown, brushing,

driven across the land, filling the towns.

It is never mentioned, though well understood,

that when the water and sand merge - there

in the mud is the sound of humanity; humanity

sucking, gripping, pulling, leaving wordless shapes

in spaces of things forever departed.