A cold northerly wind follows the ebb tide
water and air temperature equal
at half the human Fahrenheit
pushing back the effort
to lessen the long grip of winter;
Junuary we call it above the 45th
with wool and fleece still in force.
Somewhere in the deep cavern
carved by the Mississippi
bedrock is fissured, fractured
by the forces of pre history
and the latest Gulf war
signaling a step in evolution
or the end to a failed experiment.
I put my hands upon the Earth yesterday
with saw and shear saying yes or no
thinning madronna that thrives on this rock
fighting back thorns and strangling vines
building rock surrounds for seedling trees
against the threat of my own predation
using rake and cart to comb and brush
the energy of desire down through the tools
untangling and weaving a new pattern
speaking to Her in the simplest terms
letting Her know if I go or will stay.
Love the title (& themes)…an invitation for our times.
Last summer my energy created soil from sand, planted natives and seeds, and watered and fed all living in my garden. The response was magnificent and awe-inspiring.
This year, I waited to see what she would do in this desert land. With little more than water, she grew plants over ten feet tall and invited me to join in creation.
I think she wants me to stay.
This reminded me that so much depends on observing individually the greed and avarice in my own heart and mind and being the blessing I want for mother earth. My natural tendency or the tendency of the mind in me is to first go to “how can I protect myself” or get what I want. There are much bigger questions.
Beautifully poignant.
Good work.
“…a step in evolution or the end to a failed experiment.” It really does feel like we’re at that crossroads. Thanks for doing what you do to keep it in front of us.