gather the crops
and lead me to pasture –
long woolen coats
and hats on the nail
sing me our song
to remind me of breathing
take me to meeting
where the creek
dries to bone

walk with me now
through the pain of becoming
what I feared most
when we parted that day –
a longing to fill
and woods without conscience –
carved our initials
much deeper
than ache

some faraway
somewhere –
the geese are returning
spread ‘cross the dark
til we can’t see the night
and fashioned their moon
from something
less shining –
was a moment we held
to forever this way

scatter my bones
as proof of submission –
but tell not the others
I was destined to fall –
read every word
aloud at my passing –
warm
let your hands
to my heart fold around

to hold this – the last
of my fragile intentions –
will you worry
for places I’m not
when darkness remembers
the breath of surrender –
long woolen coats
and geese on the lam