Little Sister Of The Blind

Little Sister Of The Blind (For Barbara)

My little sister of the blind,
who cared to guide me in my night,
who with your comfort warm and kind
provided surrogates for sight:
to you alone these words must wind,
by you alone I know the light.

My little sister of the poor,
who gave me bread, who gave me wine,
who knocked upon my secret door
with promises of One divine:
to you alone these words are for,
with you alone I crossed a line.

My little sister of the lame,
who helped me up when I was weak,
who told me that I must not blame
the crutch for what I had to speak:
to you alone these words will name
for you alone what I must seek.

My little sister of the mute,
who made my silence turn to rhyme,
who by your grace made me refute
a guilt obscuring phantom crime:
for you alone these words will root,
for you alone I bide my time.