Green Afternoon

Dark masses rest on my shoulders
I do not

know of it

and yet I carry the heavy burden


Fusillade of leaves and

chips and twigs and

cries of birds, yet

the body moves
unknowing of its slouch

its droop, its collapse nigh.

Why? The answer is not in

the air but

in the heart, unheeded.


Light which shimmered at

the far end

has gone, the clouds
roll has stopped, it is a
death
everywhere

but for a moment

when an eagle's shrill cry

brings the soul home

and

lends weight to my burden

The earth smells

of its vapors

Grudgingly as it gives

release to my oppression

The drab monotony
of grey clouds and

black skies

liberates
and it is then I

know of the weight I carry

A thousand murmurs
Rippling brooks, running rivulets
Muted rooks, swishing leaves
Blades of grass

taking all my weight

Life is alive,

is kicking,

The light is not far

was never far

It was only

the fear of the grey

But now I bathe in it

I take a step to

embrace it

And

it does not flinch

But takes two steps

to meet me halfway

I realize 'tis a green afternoon.