she stands
at the foot
of the mountain
longing to reach the top
I can see that fear
is holding her back
so I take her hand
and begin walking with her

motel window.  dusk.
dark blue.  streaking freeway lights.
rain.  empty room thoughts.

I would say that I'm just treading water
But i enjoy swimming and this
Is so much worse

the fullness of words in your mouth
my trembling hands
a truth cuts deep
into the ribs of morning
it's the big bang of language
when silence has no shadow

i have grown used to the moon
early each morning
waiting there above me

ever growing ever receding
for weeks now
the skies have been perfectly blue

first light prismed in slight violet
lingering just before the breach
of the horizon line

at night the stars
and planets
pierce with warm purpose

a world away
the wolves sing
in the dark woods

a world away
the whales sing
in the deep waters

a world away
we sing
to the ancient music of fire