On the periphery
Core hidden away
I observe the violence
The hurt
The suffering
Detached
Feeling nothing
To feel would be
To shatter
So strong because
So fragile
I observe the violence
The hurt
The suffering
Detached
Feeling nothing
To feel would be
To shatter
So strong because
So fragile
Here am I
On the cusp of the sky
While far below
Rivers and life
In endless flow
Reminding myself
Of the importance
Of even one small voice
In the tide of events
Like the butterfly
In Beijing
I flutter
Back down to the valley
Where I ride the flow
Singing
From the depth of my soul
Existence set
In time and place
Yet all at once
I’m every where
I’m every thing
I’m not at all
To be
And not
To be
Here I stand
On this thin edge
Of the cusp
Between darkness and the light
Witness to
An extraordinary beauty
I understand
How the soft
Is stronger
Than the hard
Though here demurred
Occluding smoke
Smothers valley’s depth and scale
Still, upon a closer look
The trees, a ridge
A jagged line
And then another
Slight serrated edge
The third and fourth both smoother still
So scale restored
I can imagine depth, at least
As this choking smoke occludes my breath
Such hopeful sight
Is breaking through
The smoky sky
Now blue above
And gold below
Backlit, the tone
Of tungsten haze
Then, lower, emerald
Of the trees
These, gratefully
Have not (yet) burned
Insistent weather brings
To harry mountains
Obscure the scene
I travelled far
Intent to see
But…
Soon enough
Beguile me
They dance and play
Revealing games
A silken veil
May hide the charms
But, no, no … please!
Don’t take it off