"What was that sound we heard

 fall on the snow?"

"It was a frozen bird.

Why must you know? 

All the dull earth knows the good 

that the air with claws and wings 

tears to the scattered questionings

which burn in fires of our blood." 

"Let the air's beak and claws

carry my deeds far where no springtime thaws

the frost for their seeds." 

"One could fathom every sound 

that the circling blood can tell 

who heard the diurnal syllable

while lying close against the ground." 

"My flesh, bone and sinew now would discern

hidden waters in you,

Earth—waters that burn."

One who turns to earth again 

finds solace in its weight; and deep 

hears the blood forever keep

the silence between drops of rain."

Why Must You Know

John Wheelwright