Read “Lake Mendota: Four Walks” in The Nature of Our Times online gallery.
OF DUST AND WATER
blessed is the one who
lays her body down upon the rock
and breathes the breath of the mountain
she spreads her limbs in a great X
thirsty lichen rough against her back
the rock still holds the coolness of night
scent of sagebrush hangs
in the air
if I know one thing it is this:
resurrection is the water from which the universe is born
do you not see?
dust we are
and to dust we return
have you not heard?
we are star dust
every atom of our bodies
comes from earth which comes from sky
we are such dust
as greens the eons
and our little life is grounded
in the deep
LET IT GO
let it go
let it all go
pour it out
into the ground
there is more, still
to be emptied
out! out!
unburden
until you are
hollow
as a bowl upturned
when the last drips
drop
and the last breath
expires
turn again
and be astounded:
how vast
is the capacity
of your emptiness
