freedom

stretching in the sun
i find i am the only one
and happily i guide my smile
o'er rivers hills and verdant
miles

i know it's only me that can
allow the pain to feel this way
i now know how to let it go
to let it pass
like melted snow

like birds that must migrate
i see that this will leave
someday
and find the place the climate suits

but first i wave goodbye
i let it go
open the window
not mine anymore
and though i should be sad
i'm not
we worked so hard that we forgot
why we were working so hard

so bring me in to this new place
and i will softly turn to face
all this hard work
brought me to
and not look back or forward
drink in this fine air
and mood
the now is freedom
i've done good

kindling

in the forest
we walk soundly
searching for dry
kindling

and hoping our arms will
be burdened
to build the evening's
fire

with twigs and branches
saplings' cast offs
brown and grey and beige

you found most
and i had little
even though neither lot
was heavy

now on home to start
the warm

and my face fresh
and ruddy with the cold
and you
warm hands
cold nose

i sit
and watch you lay the fire
spark the match
and smoke grows
slowly into flame
and now to just enjoy
the light the heat
the time
alone
the embers glow
and us
asleep