Gentle Winds

Gentle winds flow freely

through grey and green grass

like some ancient mariner

whose way home is a constant

crisscross of endless patterns;



Gentle winds flow freely

as they move currents of time

from one shore to another and

tiny sea creatures ride gracefully

on the shell homes of others –

petrified remnants unravel life’s

mysteries and scholars record the

history of a world they did not know;



and somehow we rejoice

however briefly

that we are a part of it all…



Gentle winds flow freely

around new travelers with bent backs

keen eyes

heirs apparent to the tiny encased treasures

for which they have spent hours looking;

scavengers,

modern pirates

plundering wrapped gifts

with ritualistic celebrations

of our peaceful survival;



Gentle winds flow freely

through untendered hands

and wistful countenance,

longing for the serene harmonies

gracefully touched

shorelines of our minds,

acknowledging limitation

unmistakably aware that

we are trespassing

on mankind’s mother

yet hoping our dust will sparkle

like crystal and attract

the keen eye of some

future foreign traveler.

May 12, 1984