A FRIENDLY OPENING

Arms stretched straight,
the body’s plea
to welcome-ness
(akin to home with open gate)–
hoping to make friends
with trees, flowers, bugs,
air, water, and ashy fire remains–
indeed,
with all that is around me. . .

flopping down to planet floor
sitting like a quiet flower
or a stronger upright trunk
with still, restful limbs
and seeing mind
I drop into my spirit-body core
my inner sanctum to explore,

+++++the rising, falling muscles, bones
+++++that house the rising-falling lungs
+++++and knowing clench-let-go-ing, flowing heart–

+++++coursing blood through miles of vessels, thick and thin

+++++slow streams of liquid lymph

+++++electric-like, nerve impulse sent
+++++from windy brain

+++++and digesting sustenance

+++++and firing, charging chi. . .

then, rising–
walking, jogging, dancing, jumping me–
becoming–
joyful in my skin–
feeling friends without and friends within–
a unity to see. . .

heart empathic
feels others there
just sitting by–
no need to stare–
friends of every kind
all around
to be found
out there.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Friends, poets– thanks
I take your proffered prize
With smiles and happy sighs.

I nominate Darryl Davis!