Meandering miles of byways,
burrowing low in cold caves,
skimming black pools to evade you.

Running past you, your branches
left deep scratches along my face;
your sharp stones caught my soles.
I ran straight through you.

You opened the sea with a wave,
rained manna over me. Close on,
you stuck to me like red clay to
my blistered feet, bound blue
sky to my windchapped cheeks.

I never stopped until you lit a bush
in the desert, seared my feet on
burning sands, and clipped
my heart with iron fire.

CC 2007 Sharon Mollerus