for Jude

Light gray sky between the leaves, a splash
of cream. For a moment, nothing moves. Caught
as a photograph, not live, it’s barren. I lie still
until a bird or weight of rain relieves
monotony. The world’s alive, so I can breathe.

I lust for the resiliency of grass, thin shoots
emerging, true to sun, from earth. Where in me
do I unbend, take up the quest that I won’t know
will end, sere fallen trails of pilgrimage
crushed, yet fragrant of the time of bounty?

Hunger for the brazen earth echoes through me
like a parting dream. I will spring into the rain,
bend to all that I encounter, lift my arms
into the possibilities of air. Not frozen, yet,
removed from influence and will, I rage.