CRYSTAL DECLENSION

Well, two things are certain—

                                         the sun will rise and the sun will set.

Most everything else is up for grabs.

It’s back on its way down now

As a mother moose and her twin calves

Step lightly, lightly

                                across the creek through the understory

And half-lit grasses,

Then disappear in a clutch of willow bushes.

                                                                             If one, anyone,

Could walk through his own life as delicately, as sure,

As she did, all wreckage, all deadfall,

Would stay sunlight, and ring like crystal among the trees.