Listen to the Madman

Listen to the madman, who speaks
at night, for he alone has seen
the wonder beyond the drapes
black. Untangle his chaos that
rings of peacock feathers and
starlight bubbles, and wine black
spilled from roses red. Listen,
listen to the madman who has heard
the distant voice, who has read
the unwritten lines, and seen
inside the empty chest. Listen
to the madman when he cries, "take man
not as he is, but as he could be;
not leaning against hope, but rising
above it, not seated raggedly
but in flight, spirit uncaged."

While you re-cage him, and clear his
mess, listen to the madman; for he
alone speaks with uncensored voice.