it is the most fragile
most fleeting
human experience

reciprocated
it is sublime
beyond measure
or words

when it ends
we fall in love
with the memory
of falling

a shorter stride
a stiffened gait
a lessened pace
guarantees it so

but being long a traveler
provides insight
to match the bruise and scars
of years and miles

and the will to move
can best the journey
where wisdom is employed

questions arise

what destination now
what supplies available
what light of day remains

with no destination
there is no journey
only aimless wander
and supplies are short
daylight precious

loss of purpose
lack of focus
hastens journey’s failure

at this distance
this late hour
failure
is not an option

so I will go forth
eyes down the road
one foot then the other
in steady stride
focused on the goal

buried misshapen
in watery graves
of reckless progress

headstone’d
by constructs
of human folly

their bones
stained
with the ghosts of salmon

winter’s rains held firm and quite long this year
but stubborn skies at last begin to clear

the seasons bow for this brief interlude
as if to hail my brightened attitude

seeds push eager sprouts through warm fertile earth
as nature cycles to this time of birth

buds pop boldly forth through ripe ready limb
new waters push fresh streams beyond their brim

bird songs sparkle crisp through tall greening trees
fragrance of new bloom wafts soft stirring breeze

the rains of winter held on long this year
but now the sky above’s becoming clear

the seasons bow to greet this interlude
as if to hail my brightened attitude

new seeds push eager sprouts up through warm earth
as nature cycles to this time of birth

bold buds pop forth through ripe and ready limb
fresh waters push clear streams beyond their brim

the songs of birds lilt crisp through greening trees
the fragrance of new blooms wafts soft the breeze

your words resonate
and ring reverberant
in my melancholy

half empty
has always been my perspective

finding safety
in my hollow solitude
seeing the world
refracted through my sorrow

a shattered heart
can no longer break

there is nothing to lose
for one who is without

but were your love
to flood my isolation
to drown me in passion

I would gladly
risk it all again
to swim up
to the light
to the warmth

break the surface
buoyant with bliss
wet with desire

to reach
in the throes of ecstasy
to encircle your gentle face
in a lover’s trembling hands