Convex Cave

© Matthew Word Bain

there’s not much ready cover
in the centripetal corner of the curve
it’s a good thing
the sound
of each grain of traffic
can be heard so far in the distance
echoing through the hollows of the mountain

the stones on the centrifugal side
feature far more expressive content
and no doubt afford more opportunity
for the audience to see, to witness
whatever it is
that needs marking here
these anonymous declarations
that each say
I am.

whose voices are these
who are drawn to these stones
with canned petrochemicals, in the dark
prepared for some playful, poignant
cave painting en plein aire
what is the difference
across the ages
and what
are the similarities?

with so many avenues available
and designated expressly for
expression
why risk life and liberty
dodging trucks with bad brakes
in the middle…