Longing

A galaxy coils.
It echoes 
in nautilus, in the spiral of our ear
in the sunflower's seeds curving and crossing.

As above, so below
say the ones before us.
The whirlwind curves round,
and the fern.

And what of longing?
Why does my dog gaze out the window
when I am gone, 
the child lift her arms to be held?
Does the bee long for the flower,
the wave for the shore?

I gaze at the hills
as light falls across them
and slowly fades.
What is this hidden land,
this pattern above us in the night? 

When I stop, when I feel it,
it is sad but also sweet.
It reaches curious--
it wants to kiss and hold,
it flows out, cups my hands tenderly. 

So above, so below.
Does the swirl of stars reach tenderly,
the pear hold out its fruit, tenderly
asking
Who are you?

Rocks burn with this fire, waves rise,
the fox curls round her young,
I quieten, listening,
all of us asking
where are you? what are you?
will you come, will you
come at last?


—Sarah Webb

No comments: