we
are less simple dark metallic pool
to blue skin
desire and burn there of all those centuries before as an accident of birth gain perhaps a turning of the head.
just looking it remains this way for a long time: something to stare off into the beginning of conversation we are talking
to ourselves and a tern circling I can’t be sure
it was ever there that is bleached in the sun but do we need to search there beads your skin warms you
There have been centuries before
I suppose
we’re here now
washed light through a cool basin sky
a colour that will not tell the secrets of landscape
had this place been discovered
it
would be morning
because we’re awake
the way the earth forms our backs
why rise
unless it’s not all up
from here
plateau stretching to mist
and likely something looming
a thought:
these arms and legs beg movement
and turn your head (tentative
we might not work this way)
see for the first time beside you
my head turned also
where I’ve been watching for a long time
your flow
am I solid
the names to discover
rock perhaps slug or
tree
the questions we are unsure how to phrase
how we first realize the more than instinct
control of spinning quiet
much less touch our own fingertips
magnets of equal pole send
electrons circle forearms
intersect the spine
are drawn to the nerve end
of opposing fingers
when unaware our breath
the long calm exhale in the air
a body of water close by
floating wind across the crag and scar
you’d think there’d be something to say
a progression on the evolution of stone
a misunderstanding of melody
we will one day perceive
not quite you and not quite a rock
unsure and dangling
our only hope for complete
resting on a gesture not unlike
the gentle raising of a hand
a first shy offering
hi
and can’t fail in this
yet likely hear nothing in return
until we add
may I help you?
we learn our arms and legs
and walk awhile
and find close by fresh water
and kneel
submerge our heads
to watch ourselves kneel
heads submerged
not knowing what we see there
denying how ludicrous it seems
after all it’s us
and we’d prefer to think this
the natural order of things
our heads under water
eyes open until eventually
someone blinks
(accepts this also as natural)
a distortion of light rising to surface
cresting to ripple
a measure of distance
and you are not supposed to feel this way
no more shyness
four thousand years too intelligent to fall in love
the small part to be included
and all the great things we’ve come to expect from you
it’s late morning on the fire escape
when I tell you of Lake Minnewaka
my body’s imprint on
rock
the glacial blue reflecting
the Cascades’ rise
from the far shore
and have I ever been
more at peace?
my heat-blurred vision
as I watch and wonder
do birds simply fly for
the joy of it
circling and easy
changing path as if to say
I am leaving you forever
the water remains as
cold as sweet
dissolving into mountains
driving the colour of wind in your hair
we pass that first breath of fresh water
its blond reflection dancing
and see something floating there and gone
the way the sun is sometimes
we could leave without a trace
a moment to lose
or we could check the mirror for surface
turn our heads
could’ve been a body
a sea monster
a tree so old on the edge of a lake
before there is such a thing as lakes
with initials carved
that is hit by lightning
there are gloves in the glove compartment
I follow the ancient road-maps
to the feeling I have sometimes
your fingers through my hair
as you miles from here touch
candles burn suspension
an invisible wax drip dew
