Up in the Air, Heaven in My Hair

-------Up in the Air, Heaven in My Hair-------

Gradually, like the end of a brushstroke stretched for a thousand miles,

the Great Plains rise to mountains 

across strawberry fields and out to sea.

From a privileged, floating perch

I can see the world come back together

as Winter covers the lines we have drawn between us.

Every religion, every color and gender

is touched by the same invitation.

Subject to the winds, like everything else.

Flight carries a unique perspective

and the descent, in me, 

anticipation.

For we are human.

And I yearn to see this vastness inside people,

to walk with heaven in my hair,

To travel and to question,

not for answers,

but simply to explore.

-------

Courage

-------Courage-------

When I find the courage 

to let myself be seen

I will 

finally

see you.

Until then I will remain

with the candle in my hand

fumbling through 

darkness 

for a match.

-------

So Completely Filled

-------So Completely Filled-------

The peaches and cream colored sunrise

I watched on hilltop this morning

made me hungry,

so I started back

toward home the long way.

Through the forest, along uneven trails of earth and stones

and the river; the quiet, winding river 

I have traced so many times upon my lovers back;

each curve and bend

a fractal ode to the persistence of Life's pattern.

This memory kept me warm

as the air turned grey and cold

and followed me to my little cabin,

wherein awaited a fire

and a cup of bitter tea.

Sipping 

   these 

      slowly

my insides rejoiced 

like a valley replenished by a flood,

and I wondered

on the temptress, sugar,

on the satiety of movement,

and how the graceful ways of Nature

can fill one so completely.

-------

Within

-------Within-------

Throughout 

the entirety 

of my life

I have known 

only great women 

and men.

Some 

have put on disguises

or change their names,

but Love has taught me 

how to listen

and where to look

and no matter how clever

one's efforts to hide 

may be,

their Light 

reaches out to me,

like a beacon through the fog,

saying, "here I am,

here 

I am."

-------