THE RISK OF REAL GROUND

Stepping into air the woman falls

momentarily catching hair and nails

as on a wing or cliff or webs

First this, then that

Falling is water washing flesh away

it changes everything

begin to learn, again

Earth gives up pieces of itself so slowly

breathing passes through ash or oak or bone

amber perfume fills a room

A hand touches and moves away

you meet yourself

passing by a shattered glass

Say you understand, say you say

stand up, open your mouth

what are you standing on.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

– for Todd Bartel, Joanna Barth, Miguel Calderon, Sean Coel, Jemima Farwell, Lael Jacobs,

Elizabeth Jackson Johnston, Blane Kieng, John McLaughlin, Anna Regnery, Charis SanAntonio,

and Jodi Schwartz

(c) 1986 Jessan Dunn (DeCredico) Otis