once there was wilderness

step by small step we mark the proper places
these tiny touches make matters true and real
it's not just knowing you see we have to feel
the ownership and lordship of these spaces
each person seeks to leave their honest traces
down on the floor you sit or else you kneel
to rest and listen and then to make your spiel
while simple light plays on our waiting faces
the words mean something but we can't yet grasp
all that is signified by such coherent sounds
as penetrate our minds as now each waits
for that fresh moment when everyone will gasp
but not dare pass one metre out of bounds
carefully watching just who comes in the gates