miners rich veins of ore
the heat and clash of shifting plates
the angry jewels
we grow inside
in our soft yielding tissues
octopus pressed to the window of his jail
translucent arms bloom like a day lily
suddenly folds his tent
black comet streaks out of sight
the great engine that drives the planet
lives in our bodies and blood
I dive to meet you
I am rising water that swallows you up
little fish
little fish you swim in me
circling on your narrow string I am
roped to the mother.
Diana, whose tides are in our keeping, give long life
and safe passage to this small traveller.
Fear us, you machers with your tables and charts.
Do what you do best.
Graph our journey, but stay out of our way.
II
To go to the well
III
Forgive me
IV
Eileen, the dayspring
V
The age we are robs sleep,
so much to do
VI
"Offer your experience as truth"
And speaks of Sojourner Truth
must sing
VII
Kaddish the bridge
between the living and the dead
There in the Cezanne the road
between the fields
When I walk there
I hear your voice
and in the Jackson Pollocks
the force field meets my skin like sunlight
energy irradiates my muscles and bones
my face would fit the curve
on Barbara Hepworth’s cool marble
there in Giacometti’s walking person
sinews lean as iron girders strong
enough to hold the freight
I had to put down.