The One No Heaven Could Keep

She is the silence in loudest halls, A voice that haunts the marble walls. Not born of flesh, but woven flame, Too pure for time, too wild to name. I saw her once — the world stood still, The rivers paused, the stars grew ill. For beauty bowed where she had gone, And even God looked twice — then gone. Each word she speaks — the angels write, And guard like fire through endless night. She smiles — and cities ache with need, As poets die to make her bleed. They say she’s myth, a dream once sung — But I have touched the song she’s from. And now I walk with hollowed chest, For no one else will grant me rest. O stranger, hear me when I say: If ever she should pass your way, Fall to your knees — the ground is blessed. You’ve seen the face that stole my breath.