When the ocean opened up into bacteria,
into little four-legged creatures, who bathed
in the light.    When the trees opened up & said
Let there be green! & there was.   The glowing
leaves shaking on bushes and trees, and mice
danced between blades of grass          --        that
is when we were born.

The air we breathe is filled with more than whispers
of the trees it came from; it is filled with the naked
dust of the day,      the light from the sun,         and
sighs from the stars.  Every day,  red flows
just under our skin,   reminding us of the ocean
that bore us.   In and out,   between heartbeat  &  breath
& each tear we cry,           the earth moves with us.

The river runs through us,     skull meets the earth.  Our
bones wear down into dust to be breathed in & then
returned.      We’ll become one,   again,  with the gentle
doe & vicious bear.       We’ll be greeted again with
the shake of leaves. Not an end,  but another
loop in the circle.

Human.
Nature.