Elemental Things

Elemental Things

The morning opens out
into golden, dreaming light;
ideas take wing in a frenzy,
fluttering wildly until the flock takes direction.
When will the arrow fly?
And what is its target?
The element of Air is awake and alive
and the mind flies away at once.

Fire is slower;
a small blaze, but determined
on the dark shores of the subconscious.
Perhaps it bears the scent of coffee,
bacon and eggs for the weary night-traveler.
Come! It is morning.
Bide a bit and renew your strength;
absorb the rising sun and let it push you
until your find your stride.

Water stirs softly,
rippling with time and memory
deeper thoughts rise up,
bringing pain and pleasure from the shadowy places
at the bottom of the heart.
What will Water receive today?
And what will it give back as it flows and purifies?
Water carries away poison, brings grain to rest
brings vision to the dreamers
and God to the priests.

Earth takes care of business,
feeding the body, making it move,
every pain and ache a reminder to oil the machine,
keep it running, and do not ignore the wisdom in the bone.
In the flesh, in the bone
it never dies. Wisdom in the bone is eternal.
Earth is the end and the beginning.

I open my eyes and see the whole round of a year--
four seasons, four elements
in one perfect morning.
I cannot help but wonder: are there 24 hours in a day?
Or 100 years?