Avalanche

Well I stepped into an avalanche

It covered up my soul;

When I am not this hunchback

That you see

I sleep beneath the golden hill

You who wish to conquer pain

You must learn

Learn to serve me well

You strike my side by accident

As you go down for your gold

The cripple here

That you clothe and feed

Is neither starved nor cold;

He does not ask for your company

Not at the centre

The centre of the world

When I am on a pedestal

You did not raise me there

Your laws do not compel me

To kneel grotesque and bare

I myself am the pedestal

For this ugly hump at

Which you stare

You who wish to conquer pain

You must learn

What makes me kind;

The crumbs of love

That you offer me

They're the crumbs I've left behind

Your pain is no credential here

It's just the shadow

Shadow of my wound

I have begun to long for you

I who have no greed;

I have begun to ask for you

I who have no need

You say you've gone away from me

But I can feel you when you breathe

Do not dress in those rags for me

I know you are not poor;

You don't love me

Quite so fiercely now

When you know

That you are not sure

It is your turn beloved

It is your flesh that I wear