A lonesome tree in the winter. Western Nebraska. Photo by Jason Dilg.

Grief

In stillness
it rises
in deep waves
rising cold
from old water,
in silence.
In crystal
turquoise blue,
I’m floating.

Inside,
one
woman’s voice,
calling me
home,
a loving call,
bending tones,
gliding,
on warm
summer breezes.

Dried flowers
and leaves,
once cooking
in the sun,
now swirling
in cool waters,
cast long
shadows,
dance
and flicker,
on the ground.

fighting,
the tide comes in,
crying,
the tide goes out.

walking,
the tide comes in,
sitting,
the tide goes out.

breathing
the tide comes in,
watching
the tide goes out.