surrounded by grace
reconciled
wading through tall grass

I rest on
fallen pines
in a soft rain

gazing through
reflections
of my grief

to pray for
this lake of
ageless waters

as I watch
listlessly
gathering darkness

made of the wood and earth and water
longing to return to that lost place
I hear a growing roar
and feel an approaching tremor

figures vanish
and leave in their wake
voids of knowledge
colorless fields

as they gather
on a lone hill
away in the plains
and keep solemn watch

beneath the ruins
of an altar
where winds do not reach

haunted by regret
wandering
through fields of goldenrod

I search among the grasses
for the
relics of what was here long ago

I am within you

am I poor in spirit?
consumed by
endless thought
never hidden from your gaze

I am within you

dispossessed of relationship
wanting what has passed away

do not forget the silhouette of my face

only you know my error
and what has bloomed for the last time

listen for my voice

I follow the firefly’s light
through an unknown wetland
the call of the yellowthroat
mingles with the flowering elder
and all is made new again

running from the horizon
I hide my face
were you calling to me then?

treefrogs leaping underfoot
in that hopeful golden hour
when the summer was still young

juncos sing from the boughs of this old oak forest
as the days quicken and our paths entwine further
bound to the spirit
the melody echoes beyond recognition

where do these colors come from rising at dusk
parting the clouds for a glimpse of the sky’s true name
woven with longing
into this landscape that has known me from my youth

shadows of bare branches grow in the fading light
where the deer silently encircled the path
land of long neglect
help me to know in full what is only seen in part

walking beneath the cottonwood
where as before we once gathered
with one accord
lighting a path away from sorrow
amongst the snows of summer

as I walk through rich fragrant fields
hearing the din of friends dear to me

I will renounce this self-sown grief
and open to rivers of brightness

call upon my nobler nature
to shine forth love and gratitude

remember the sunlight
remember the seasons
the distance is fading
remember

joining our hands in brotherhood
rejoicing and sharing in each day

put off your sorrow
you are beloved
put off your sorrow
put off your shame
I know your spirit
I know your mind
I will be with you

held in light as a treasure
pondered in the heart alone
bounty and glory and splendor
in a fragile floating world
I cannot speak what I feel

I give you my love
take of it freely
you are with me now
eternally bound

what has followed me here?
bonded to tears of parting
whose memories are these?
claiming part of my nature

clouds of waxwings alight
on a cedar tree
oracles of the air
awaken and rejoice

revived from a broken life
blessings flood the open sky
I will begin again
joining in a love unconstrained
I will reach out beyond
these walls of fear and pain