Leuchtturm 2

You ask me, our children safe behind us,
About the rocks in Pennsylvania
When I was lost and
Near-lifeless, among cornrows --
Sleeping in empty-church twilight,
Waiting for any freight.

When I was terrified;

When rocks piled by strangers
At my head, my feet,
Were the whole of the world,

You ask, our children not safe
Behind us,
About the house in Pennsylvania,

And I am discovered by

What would answer us both,

That boy,
Stood up, dumb,
In audacious grace.