from a dark room

Van Gogh, A Lane near Arles (Landscape with Edge of a Road), 1888

“Our spirits were made for light, not for darkness.” Thomas Merton

This dark room
comforts me.

Tender eyes
are safe here from
the hot autumn wind.

Dark tears cleanse
as I gaze out
to the shimmering street
where rises the sacred scent
of yellow flowers,

heavy
and sweet.