Dad?

Howling storm of stones. Love, beating against the walls. Love, bruising. Ash cloaks the sky. Where is the moon? (just a mirror; we are all reflections.) The priests in the temples. Pray to me now. Show me your love, and I will give you mine. Open your heart. Give of yourself so that the sun may live again. Bring it back from its dark cave, from its deepdark oubliette.

Dad?

I have not abandoned you. I have not forgotten you. You have always been a part of me, just as I have always been inside of you. Yes, embrace me now. Open yourself to me. (Let me in.) I have so much love to give you. I am the rain you have been denied in your desert exile. I am the words you have been afraid to speak.

Dad? Will you make the pain stop?

(Answer tell pray answer look tell answer answer tell)

Of course.

Can you bring her back?

(no!)

She is already here. She is waiting for you.

I . . . I . . .

Why do you struggle so?

I . . .

I can give you everything.

I . . . did not fail you.