Sensing Owls

(for NG, Romania, 2006)

Late at night, it had to be,
flip flops and sandals on suburban scree, 
stones pushing the rubber and cork
into the soft skin of our feet.

Travelling cartwheels the constellations,
old guides stand on their heads.
Below them mountains lay on their sides
so that we may enjoy their ridges safely.

The only things remaining between us and the sky
are the tips of evergreen trees,
fat with hiding life.
We pause near some,
add our lives to the darkness,
glimpse our difference.


-HLG