One time

I saw an eagle fly

Just over my head

So close I could hear wind in its feathers. 

Had I not lifted my eyes

I would never have seen. 

One time

I saw a crystal gleam

Just by my boot

So close I could pick it up and see the light.

Had I not lowered my eyes

I would never have seen. 

One time

I saw the dark

All around me

So complete I could lose all I saw.

Had I not closed my eyes

I would never have seen.

Let us plant Scotch Pine just for the memories. 

Let us plant apple trees.

Long rows of cottonwood,

to reach for the sky someday,

like we never could.

Let us reach far ahead,

to outlast all we spoke:

go for the gold!

Let us plant oak.

No matter how many birds I watch,

How many hours I study

The curve of wing tip

The swoop and hover

The highs and lows

And stamina,

I just can't seem to fly.

If I ever leave trees

it will be for wind.

Long have I loved the patience of trees,

the solidity, the illusion of permanence.

Lately

I have been much seduced by the wind.

I am tempted to be swept away.

I live in the dark

I said.

Then I opened my eyes to the dark,

The shadows of variation,

The all-around-ness to me.

A black I could come to depend on.

And I found myself in the dark.

I live under ice

I said.

Then I lifted my eyes to the ice

The crystals and gleaming striations,

The over-ness always to me.

A cold I could always be sure of.

And I saw myself in the ice.

I live within chaos

I said.

Then my eyelids floated away.

My body dissolved and my knowledge.

And I only dreamt about love.

 Did you show your children the stars?,

Accuser said.

Not enough! Not enough!

Let me show them galaxies

only so that they may recognize infinity

when they see my love.

It is so hard to go for a walk. 

On a restful couch

With a spellbinding book

And a warm fleecy blanket,

The idea daunts.

To put on

thick socks

sweater

ear muffs

snow pants

boots

parka

scarf

mitts.

But you do.

And the mirror as you step out the door says

You are no longer a slouch on a couch

But a walker of woods at C 15 below,

A cruncher of snow

A strider of silence.

Oh where can't you go!

 I think I saw some solitude out there.

Looking out the window of this crowded house

I saw it in the distance,

Slipping through the trees.

A thing of beauty calling to me,

Kin creature to my core.

I'm not far from the door.

So out I go in silence

Walking far and walking forest,

And in the company of no one,

Find the companion I looked for.

A good friend

spoke with anger

of another friend,

words slightly violent in nature.

(In my mind I cried out

"But that is my friend

you are talking about!")

I held my peace

and listened to my friend.

Because people are evil, she said,

A small sad laugh, bowed her head.

I couldn't quite follow, though I saw her path,

The dark passes where she'd been led.

But for the love

I would follow, I would.

Because of the love,

The world tips to the good.

Though I die, though I ache,

I vow to try to live awake

To the power of love.

May it overtake.