A Reverent Green

Walking by the frozen river
all these rocks scattered         near the banks

shine a most reverent green
even on this deep winter day.

Each is a single step
                                    on a path

that no one is brave enough to go down
through this arctic wilderness into some
                                                    underworld wild.

I think I see that same green later—opening the cabinets
and drawers at home                   just out of the corner of my eye.

A sense of that color has spread everywhere
              or         I carry it with me

but I know I will never see that green again.
I will give up on love

carry death                   and the fear of death
in my heart.
                        I will shatter this crystal

that is my life               if it helps me
remember what I’ve lost.

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