He Sees Through Stone

By Etheridge Knight

He sees through stone

he has the secret

eyes this old black one

who under prison skies

sits pressed by the sun

against the western wall

his pipe between purple gums

the years fall

like overripe plums

bursting red flesh

on the dark earth

his time is not my time

but I have known him

in a time gone

he led me trembling cold

into the dark forest

taught me the secret rites

to make it with a woman

to be true to my brothers

to make my spear drink

the blood of my enemies

now black cats circle him

flash white teeth

snarl at the air

mashing green grass beneath

shining muscles

ears peeling his words

he smiles

he knows

the hunt the enemy

he has the secret eyes

he sees through stone