one cat night

o softfooted
lightpawed
brighteyed night
longtailed night,
silkfurred night-
night with starglinting fangs,
night with cold claws.
night that takes us unaware
as we stare above the long grass of the sun.

enough

I wish
that I'd stayed up
with the moon all night!

cliff

stone of tree! rocky clasp of water
rocking to sleep all the bramble bushes
that embroider the shore.
the shells rattle a little sleep song
to the tired road above.

low lamp

see there? all those stones
those standing wombs
were all carved for me,
and my entry from the sea.

none came before me, though
some came after;
of like I have none,
but all men are my kin.

the stave in the rock
was my first step
and the hollow of the hearth
was my first rest.

once I've ended
there will be no more beginnings
until I've done my rest
- until I've done my rest

following

around the fingers
a snake
bites the tail
of every other;
one handclasp
before evening, parted.