Naming

 

-------Naming-------

 

I have hesitated to write you

as I have yet 

to learn your name

 

Not the one 

that settler gave you

but the one you call yourself.

 

For many years 

I have welcomed Spring 

with your presence

 

And wandered 

within the fragrance 

of your becoming.

 

In the dark, 

wet places 

of the woods

 

I have watched a honeybee find your flower

and emerge 

with pollen on their back.

 

From that brilliant sun 

you hold within

a gold-

 

Speckled,

magenta 

beak

 

I am reminded 

we all are kin

and children of the stars.

 

I have hesitated 

to write 

you

 

Because I have yet to hear your name 

spoken in the language 

of this land

 

Because Skunk and Cabbage 

do not invoke

the magic that you convey.

 

But today 

I write you

without naming

 

As a promise 

to keep the ears 

of my heart open

 

So I may hear you

someday

when you call.

 

-------