It comes nearer, ever nearer to an ending than
a beginning of this ramble about earth.
How many steps remain, how many breaths that
cultivate strength, resilience, the mouth full
of starbursts of air and puzzles of language,
of emotion that seeps and rushes from the center
over tongue and teeth to the world?
What are the answer I have not yet sought,
the questions not fully considered?
I cannot fathom enough of it, living
and shedding and gathering and more growing.
Perhaps I knew more at fourteen than I do now
it seemed a galaxy of matters and who is to say–
but if so it was somehow turned over and inside out,
spun apart, shifted, torn and rewound
so that before I knew it, there remained a frail layer
between me and baffling landscapes…
country and city made of people who shocked and amazed;
ancient outcroppings and tiny refuges of
animal, plant , mineral and water, air and fire;
and stories strewn everywhere
–they all pull me. Still call to me.
And a magnanimous Spirit is restive,
attendant to this path and countless others, with
divine wonderings and wisdom like markers as we go.
Therein is mystery: becoming one within the whole of it.
How deep dwells the meaning of all things?
When I come to one stop there is
a doorway, still, and that clarion beckoning.
Even a stitched and worn heart gives way
to a glance of compassion,
a flicker of fireflies, a rain dance on leaves,
and the slow laydown of sun upon sinew and bone.
That I meet face to face with such life, a miracle.
So I move forward into ever more
thrum and shush and jangle and slide
of each day and night, a holy human ride.
There is all that is still unfinished,
so much more to pluck out and love.
Tales for Life 
a beautifully honest reflection of the thoughts that fuel our existence and enquiry ❤
Thank you.
I loved Derrick’s comment about how you never stop wondering. I suddenly heard for the first time the emphasis on the root – ‘wonder’ of wondering. It sounded like a delightful activity, the act of ‘wonder-ing’ instead of wondering as we often think of it as trying to figure something out. Quite the opposite, just a delight in the immersion of wander-wonder! This was a very beautiful poem, ‘the holy human ride’ – I loved that Cynthia, and thank you so much for the exquisite pictures from the Vanderbilt estate as well. Such a treat of greens for my desert Arizona eyes!
Yes, a fabulous word, isn’t it? Thank you for f inding a phrase that resonated with you–I always enjoy hearing about those. It is quite a place to see–though I missed a lot of the interior due to time constraints, I was so pleased to be able to explore some of the acerage. That includes the rolling hills shots around the estate. Best to you, Susan!
It is a beautiful poem, Cynthia. Life presents a continual show of things to wonder about and engage the mind.
Thank you, Lavinia. I appreciate your reading and commenting. So ture that life is rich and surprising and fulfilling–are we not fortunate, even with our many human trials? 🙂
Yes it is. We are very fortunate people. 🙂
How you never stop wondering
May it be so always–I think. 🙂
Yes