August Nine

Published on 9 August 2025 at 06:17

Saturday, August 9, 2025, 50.5*, 78% RH,0616

 

BEFORE I TURNED OFF THE LIGHT

I fell into a dream.

 

An ancient pine bent down,

enfolded me

in prickly limbs

spoke with cavernous voice:

 

“There is a progression.

Stop struggling.

Stand still.

Life is enough

to make you bleed.

 

It doesn’t matter that it’s dark

or that your center is falling apart.

You stand on the edge

holding your golden thread.

 

I bequeath you my vision

for you have felt rain on your face.

You remember winds extracting your breath.

You know snow and what lies beneath.

You keep ashes in a cherry wood urn.

You listen when spirits speak.”