Only Words

Forced to walk unchosen paths
Footprints scatter in the wind
These thousand steps  ahead will wait
While I turn to watch suns set
Behind shapely seductive hills
Where red infernos glow still
Illuminating amber skies
For me to write upon
Like white chalk on cracked sidewalks
So all the world may read
My name and who I was
And what I rally am
If there is space enough
I'll write down all my sins
With the names of all the people
I have ever wronged
Clearly, each and every one
Then quickly I will scribble
All the thousands of my lies
And your name too, many times
I will write four secret things
Only seven people know
As if they care about
My whole unholy story
Finally, though my hand will tremble
With fear and chill
I'll write the ineffable name
Before dark clouds move in
Then I will lay down in fields
Of tall grass and yellow flowers
Remembering a short poem
I will feel the rain pour down
Cold tears of false absolution
Washing only words away