I asked you to bury me in the willow
Pack me with earth and cover me with leaves
Ground me in the wind and surround me with singing stones

Instead, you put me here-
Among the throngs of people
Among the thorns of people

They stand crowded scratching, poking, pricking and,
as tall as trees we reach for each other
Across pavement and high-rises cutting and coddling.

I longed for the spacious sky-
But find myself at home standing with you
leaning into you
Surrounded by eager arms
Bearing those arms as my own

08/19/2003

Posted on 08/20/2003
Copyright © 2024 Gabrielle L Gervais