You Will Hear Me Now

Lower your voice. They’re sleeping still. I asked you once. And now you will. I gave you time to understand. I let you speak. I let you stay. You saw the lights along the shore And still you chose to take their day. You mistook the covered hand For something I was scared to show. Now watch the linen come undone. There’s something else that you should know. I heard you. Every word. You cannot say you weren’t warned. But I won't waste any more breath now I'll leave the talking to the thorns. You will hear me now. Every thorn will make it clear. Take another step toward them. See how far you get from here. I have asked you. I have waited. I have let you have your say. You will hear me now— And you will stay away. Go on. Look closely at my face. The red was always underneath. You liked me better wrapped in white, With softer eyes and hidden teeth. These are the hands that kept them warm. This is the face their children know. You will not make them strangers to me. You will not make me let them go. You lift your blade. I watch your wrist. You glance toward the open square. How kind of you to show me Who you thought I’d leave unguarded there. You will hear me now. Every thorn will make it clear. Take another step toward them. See how far you get from here. I have asked you. I have waited. I have let you have your say. You will hear me now— And you will stay away. There. Your sword is on the stones. Leave it. Look at me. You were so certain. Tell me where that certainty has gone. I could loosen these. You know I could. Keep your other hand Exactly where it is. There. Now we understand each other. I barely had to raise my voice. What would you have me save? I asked you standing in the light. You answered with a naked blade. You brought it to their doors tonight. So let the thorns receive you. Let the roots deny you ground. I know how much a hand can bear Before it puts a weapon down. You will hear me now. Every thorn will make it clear. There are people sleeping soundly. You will never reach them here. I have asked you. I have waited. Now your choices fall away. You will hear me now— Put down the blade. You will hear me now. Keep your eyes upon my face. Try to rise against me— I will put you in your place. Let them keep their quiet windows. Let them wake to one more day. You will hear me now. [Spoken, ruthless] You will obey. Lower your voice. They’re sleeping still. Be still. The thorns will tighten if you move.