Low dust clouds bristled

Low dust clouds bristled

   In the sky but I did not see;

A lone grackle whistled

   A warning I did not perceive.

The world would neither stop turning

   Nor quit its mockery.

I sat upon a rock, faltering -

   Because of things that wouldn’t be.

Only distraction can persuade -

   Only sleep can steal

Such sadness that pervades

   And hot tears that swell

But hotter yet came a wind

   That brushed my fingers

As would one consoling

   And dried my tears.