winnowing the ashen hours

“Winnowing the Ashen Hours”

Throw the day into the wind
and see what does not fly away.
Not the words spoken at the gate,

not the promise 
made over lukewarm tea,
not the grey light 
that lingered on the washbasin.

Only the small stone 
in your boot remains,
hard and sharp and true,

reminding you 
that you walked three miles
to deliver a message 
no one was left to read.

.