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