Horizontal Magic

Look back – women were never silenced.

Burned and raped. Mutilated and murdered.

Yet never silenced.

Today, if men wanted to take away my rights, they could. Power pools at their feet.

And yet, the healing force in the physical world expressed Herself – sacred, sensual, fiercely strong in love. Have you seen Her? Prima testis.

I watched a cardinal feed its mate and I was purified.

Tonight promises to be clear and crisp. I wondered if you might sit outside with me and gaze. Turn west, and I, east. Look with those eyes given to you by the One who draws us together. Search the dark in gratitude and weep a little with me. Weep for the night before we kissed. And weep for the lips that won't ever feel the same way again. I like watching stars best when my back is on a blanket on the damp ground. Horizontal magic.

Brattleboro and a little dirt road. Farms and sugar shacks. Mountains and trees. Maybe I'll know about the woodsman's smoke east of here. Maybe I won't. But I want to.

Pregnant milkweed pods and red tasseled corn. Monarchs write your name around me on the way. Willows over Rush Creek and the bridge graffiti that says, “ don't look back.” Tell me, Beloved . . . will you?

tried by fire
constantly arriving
in love –