For students who have chosen to leave this earth

       For you
       we stand
       arms out
       reaching grasping
       longing missing
       crying howling
       through holes
       in the air
       where you
       once stood.

       Our hands
       hang empty
       at the ends
       of our arms.

       The piles
       of ideas
       words papers
       maps charts
       essays books
       ink blots
       chalk dust
       false starts
       brave conclusions
       our connections -
       these piles
       tip over
       topple scatter
       pour out
       spill splatter
       bleed and
       we stand
       arms out
       hearts falling
       faces closing
       bones showing
       skins hiding
       knees knocking
       wishing wanting
       reaching grabbing
       for ghosts
       shadowy impulses
       of you.

       Seconds days
       years eons
       click fly
       tumble by
       until finally
       we are able
       to stand
       arms out
       letting you
       go.

Paradoxical Earth

       click click click

       The earth moves

       in measured paces

       across the skies.

       

       It's a predictable march

       through time

       

       but the wanton gem

       of the universe

       defies predictability

       

       as she glides all night

       in her shimmery, glimmery

       sequined skirts

       

       as she dances her days

       swinging and swaying

       

       as she spins through space

       her waters foaming

       in great swirling wakes

       

       as she trips and trails

       through the universe

       

       my beautiful, measured unmeasured

       paradoxical woman, Earth.