Brother Atlas

In my dream, Atlas shook beneath the cold cosmos. 

I walked years to find him, 

Wiped salted strain from tired eyes, 

And pressed a warm palm against his chest. 

I retold the sacred stories of others

Who’d suffered greatness. 

Spinning the wheel three times, I offered my bow

Of dreams to hold him. He accepted.

The stars passed over him,

No heavens came thundering down

While he savored the lightness of his being

And he started to sing.

Rested, he took back his greatness

And held up the sky, again.