- time, effort... to become a man -

     In search
of a subterranean,
mineral world,
- to understand himself,
his real worth -
    unburnt
by the violent light
of his superficial side,
responding to her
secret earthly call,
he becomes a soul-digger.

    To accomplish
his first work:
ravishing rays from the surface,
delving always further,
he faces his most difficult task.

Few tools,
    little time
(his life on earth),
feverishly he sinks meaning
into the stone,
scratches mud
from his own bones,
until he faces
- alone -
his dirt,
his shame,
his arrogant game.

Loneliness
awaits his mind
when determination to grow
embraces his heart.

He must be ready
     to let go,
until he forgets his name
and the easy ride
         to success?
         fame?
         power?
throughout the empty life
of an ordinary male.

He knows
he'll be abandoned
to the acrid smell
of his blood and sperm,
to the aching, primeval wounds
of his pride,
yet he tries...
   to conquer patience,
       to win his fight against war,
(and not against her)
           to finally become whole.