Become/River

— Meridian Johnson

How does it feel
              to be
in that moment before we take the full-length of our flesh?
Lie still and breathe.
There are no mistakes here.
Stillness of mind.

The universe is a shawl to wrap about the shoulders
              dark     pervasive
                           ever-sensing.

                           By the river two ducks fly above the morning current.
On the opposite bank
              two black dogs rousing the bushes.
The naked tree shadows scratch the ground, shifting through wind.

To own the space deep in the cell
                           deeper
                                          deeper yet
                                                            cobalt blue.
                                                            The Beginning.

When we’re giving ourselves that much space
principle shimmering                                          intake.

                                                                              The river begins.


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