there is a carolina wren
calling into
the window
while the four year old
next to me turns her
head in a
click clack
kind of way, teetering
around the table asking
why the bird is talking
to her as she folds her
arms into wings and flys away
Peace and serenity touched me
as night had fallen upon the lake
the quietness and natural darkness
in my sanctuary, my special place.
As nature’s music went to sleep
it was just the quiet of the night
sitting among the stars and sky
hours before the morning light.
Nightime along the quiet cool water
I felt closer to the heavens above
drifting away in my special place
amongst the natural world that I love.
Like floating among the planets
with the waning moon in sight
a magical dream from the heavens
and peaceful blessing from the night.
Knows the rules, the count, the score, the plays, the calls.
Knows what happened
and what the coach
thinks happened.
Knows this is a subtle
and essential difference.
The story and the facts.
The man and his myth.
The woman and the sharp
truth of the backwards K
written in the book she knows
how to keep, immaculately.
What I meant when I said good morning
is that you are capable of holding a universe of joy safe in your hands
even worn, even bleeding. I know it.
I’ve seen you
lift your head off the pillow
wet with tears
seen you bandage bruises
comb the unruly hair of a child
remembering
not to let unruly strands of hate stay tangled in your own head- even when you have every reason -even when hate would feel more like justice
What I meant when I said good morning
is that I’ve heard you sing
seen the power in your back to stand up straight
don’t you remember?
you showed me what healing is
lifted me
last time I fell
What I meant when I said good morning
is that we are these tiny imperfect electrical seconds
dancing across a wild universe
to music we get to write ourselves
and despite his many attempts over millennia
no man
no man
can stop the sun from walking her course across the sky
palms-to-collar
constrict
you, snake,
whose venom bade et tu committal?
blue burdens
cheeks burgeon aflame
discredit silent spots, stripes—
vexillum coif sacrifice
eager for end
your tourniquet agony
pleas:
let go
Words of whimsy warble on
Singing songs so spritely,
Chides the children carrying on
Boldly, brashly, brightly.
