21.9.013 For Jess

Though through forest greens-- through fields,
and streams-- I'd like to roam:
today, I must compose a poem.

Halfway to death, I scared
the poor girl: sharp intake of air;
piercing scream; an about-face whirl

to face, wide-eyed, her devious assailant:
bright eyes filled with ornery glee;
and mouth split in a mischievous curl.

I offered her sweets, sincerest apologies
(Kisses of Hershey's, I'mreallyreallysorry's)--
but no such contritious feats
would suffice.

What would be nice,
said she,

(swagger in her step,
boots so high-- forever that twinkling smile in her eye

[but not so today-- no, not this time])

would be,
of course,
"a poem."

And as I wandered the high desert
(homeland of sun and humming air),
four weeks came and went.

And though my journey was pleasant
(revived from light, though my skin stayed fair),
mountains took my breath; my words were spent.

. . . And so. . .

Though through evergreens-- through
mountainside streams-- I long to roam:
today, I must compose a poem.

Though I've lain me down upon the loam
in hopes to one day feel the embrace
of mycelium who call piney soil their home,

I know from the sap coursing in my veins
that the trees through which I wander alone
are where I will find my rightful place.

With desert winds to fill my lungs
and the burgeoning sun on my neck, my face--
I hear the cry of songs yet to be sung;
I feel the starkness of open space.

No longer will I incite such fear in your face--
I'd rather the twinkling eyes, the elated state
which we've all come to expect, all come to know
from the bearer of high-boots in our retail home.

. . . And so. . .

Though through mountain greens-- through
arroyos-once-streams, I did once roam--
today, I have composed a poem.