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the green just over the hill
the spring trees
with their green and brown
crowns
little royalty on the hillside
filling in the gaps
between the clay and soil
a little unspoiled
across the barking cars
and the hot pavement

the canyons of the west
hollow and full
housing stars in low pools
and small glimmering eyes
such a thing to be forsaken for
such a simple thing
a quick kiss

nothing to hear
but the lilting and slow
slurred words
drowned out by the hiss and
crack of the fire
something unspoiled

what a cruel thing

what a thing

to be alive and watch the snakes
sun against the rocks
their bellies to the sky
tongues wagging
in warning and fear

I heard a voice say
I might be gone for a long long
time and I have nothing
to give you
nothing to make time pass easy
to calm your sorrow

and I
like the trees and cracked clay
do the same thing today
as I’ll do tomorrow
wish to be smarter
and warm in your arms