Lives of Straw

the pillar of fire
burns me -
it tells me I live

the pillar of cloud
hides me -
it tells me the truth

the desert sand
scorches my feet -
it tears my soles

the horizon mountains
shadow me -
bearing my walls

the day ahead
points to the road
the people tread

the tent poles sway
ropes swinging -
canvas creaks overhead

our box is stong -
brass bound -
as are our laws

we bear the weights willingly
at our hearts -
small lives of straw

tested by the wind
tossing us
with giant hands

fragments of dust
powder in the air -
only God sees us land

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