Eras

How many miles

has this water

traveled

from dew

to cloud

to river

to here

How many years

has this light

traveled

past planets 

unknown

and known

to reflect

and perhaps

travel back

or on

This water

this light

these trees

eras

of existence

of knowing

Still

 

The air

is still

fog lingers

and I linger

too

for a moment

even the crickets

are quiet

as I step

onto dewy

grass

then

their chirping

resumes

a car 

zooms by

birds call

and I

must join

the morning

Strength

 

Waiting

for wings

to open

and reveal

bold orange

and velvet

markings

I recall

watching 

another

emerge

crumpled

and wet

on a milkweed branch

in a jar

So delicate

impossible

to imagine

the miles of journey

ahead

Breathe

 

Morning

instructs

B

   r

     e

       a

         t

            h

               e

             d

        e

     e

 p

into where

the hurt is

and

heal

36

September

 

Long grass

luxurious pillow

where I wait

for a pause

between cars

to hear

the papery rustle

of a cottonwood

the electric buzz

of cicadas

secrets

whispered

in the wind

35