Author: Elizabeth Maynard

I've got a better story for you
than this one you've been living
more sunrise and sunset
less midday sun
the laughter of water tumbling
among cool rocks in the creek
ranch dogs lie tired at your feet
after a good romp in the field
dinner fresh-picked from the garden
you planted with your own hands
sleep so full and deep
each night you forget this hurry
and remember yourself

This green vine creeping
reminds of love's persistence:
she will overcome

You howl and bellow
day's end:  where is your calf now?
Find him before dark

Hills green home to you
remind each dewy morning
what is beyond words

To believe in you
will require more courage than
I have held before

No matter how you dress us
heroes or villains
we are still the same
love struck fools
in search of a great plot

I drink hot broth
read words of prophets
here before the sun

Even in translation
truth large and small
undresses himself for me

He knows how hungry
I have been and how long
the emptiness ahead today

Pull me close and closer
until my breath and beat
find and follow yours

“Being careful is not as much fun as being friends,” said Frances. “Do you want to be careful, or do you want to be friends?”

Russell Hoban “A Bargain for Frances”

Do you want to be careful?
Measure words as so many
grains of rice, sand
sleep from tired eyes
or sow now wild and widely
every curious of what blooms
and in what season

You are as tired as a soul can be
still breathing, labored
afraid to weep, believing
you will never find the end of it
We must be gentle with you
so you can find yourself
surrender at last
to this glorious moment

A great drenching love
rolls in from the west
each strike lights a dark sky
thunder peals the hour
awaited and now welcome
as dry earth leaps to life