I dwell in a darker wood
an opening among gnarled oaks
Near a creek below a crag
Off to the north of this fire
The stars pierce the sky above me
Like silver-threaded tatting
Through which the moon flows
Dusting light leaves across the forest floor
I watch the fire as it dances
Shadows across nearby trees
Shapes leap from branch to branch
Hiding themselves in their own light
Exposed to the sky and to myself
I embrace a deep solace in the night
(October 2011)
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