for JR
at the grove’s edge
you meet them all, each one
dripping with hurt, steel eyed
dusted and luminous
moss trodden and lichen lipped
you go on, forgiving and seeking forgiveness.
looking back, you see that
none follow and
alone you go,
liminal to the margin
at the dipping point
each river-pool clears of its whispering ghosts
your trinkets, tokens, icons of memory
are placed in offering as expiation
each gesture a steady movement
each step up the mountain, lighter still
you are deep prayer moving steadily
toward foresight, toward reclamation, toward flight
ascendant
you are golden haired
loved by the gods
you are sweet-breathed
as friend, father, brother, as joy-bringer
you are seminal and unbound
the wing of forgiveness
lifting toward light
It is not possible to love you more than I do