Before I Speak

I have spilled
words onto the page
like sugar granules or
high fructose corn syrup
just because I could

but now
is the hour to be silent.

Very soon
I will speak words
like rain
in torrents
life in a parched throat
each drop sweet and
wholesome and
crystal, crystal clear

but now
is the hour to be silent
to let moisture gather
on my dust
before I speak.

now be silent / gather dust / speak.