3/28/2016

if you have been missing for thirty years you
       might remember who you are

sometimes it takes that long of a journey
outside of ourselves, into the dusk or mountains

beyond the fences of our hearts. a family of
        bears takes us in. there is a wobbly ladder to the sky

and we climb it. we find a strange bouquet 
in another country, pack it into the suitcase of

our chest for later. the bears teach us how
       to endure the cold season, hold our

sorrow for spring. the sky-ladder will break 
behind us-- but to touch the blue, blue sky 

and stare down on the roof of our head.
       just once is a kind of forgiveness. 

what we receive from passing through others who 
are not like us deepens our gaze. the thought other

fills us with our own other. the trick is to find the perfect 
        match that will burn down our perfect home. 

all of the real lessons arrive out of getting lost.