I AM A BEGGAR IN THIS DARK FOREST

I look at her
She looks at me

I have stilled the doe
quieted her curious fawn
She looks at me,
I am not still
I am driving this Mississippi roadside
the air is red now
it is dawn

I look at her and remember
a line read in the Tribune --
"Only people can see the stars"

She stares me down
Her wild eyes are of a child
they take me in
then flow through me
like a spring - fed creek
clears the shaded gaiter glen
like poppies pulse auricular light
She climbs my spine
with sure footed goat laughter

I look at her
She looks at me


Linnea Hadaway 1998