The motions of faith-
dogma
ritual
and rite

are indicators of chaos,
soon to come.
When they mean nothing
but words (growing thin),
the words (even thinner now)
become someone’s property.

That’s when forts are built
and trenches are dug
and bastions are fortified.
That’s when truth becomes stagnant
and must be enforced,
rather than accepted,
because it stinks.

That is also the time, though.
for those
with eyes that can see
and ears that can hear
that there may be perceived
(look hard, breathe deeply)

the beginnings of everything new.