Living

Moonlight climbed through the window

And I followed it back out

To the middle of the yard

And laid myself right down

In borrowed light and stretched out like a star

Takin' in the night jars

Just existin' can be hard

Maybe livin' is an art

We were walkin' along the shoreline

Still too cold for summer clothes

True, I dove in on a dare

But I'd have done it anyway, we both know

I say, "Gather the wind in your fists

Perfect conditions don't exist"

Living's what I call it

The other word don't fit

Today, prunin' trees

Cuttin' back honey locust thorns

I tore through my glove

Blood ran red and warm

And I'm learnin' first-hand again

Pain can live on its own and get past your skin

Livin' when I'm honest

It can be punishin'

And just existin' can be hard

But maybe livin' is an art

(In all ways and forms, you withdrew)

(Feeding, watering, caring and talking)

(Jesus God, you should have seen the way she withered without wailing)

(There is nothing she could do)

(A quiet death, and love's leaving love's dawn)