I could spend an entire lifetime
Studying the lines in this tree
Smoothing my palm
over warm arbutus
Studying how she curls
and reaches out
To the wayward winds

I could spend an entire lifetime studying
The lines in your face
And learning of how each story
Of you
Brought you more into your skin
And sunk your eyes in further
To the place they always belonged

I could spend an entire lifetime
slowing down
Listening
To each song
The chickadee carries in the wind

I could spend an entire lifetime
At the shores of an ocean
Studying
Each drop of water
As she splashes to this shore

I could spend an entire lifetime
Wondering
But never knowing

I could spend an entire lifetime
With your hand in mine
And you would still be
a beautiful mystery
Before me