how to live

look to the earth,
and you will know
how to live.

how she keeps her fire
beneath her waters,
in an untouchable core,
how the ground
becomes her skin,
holding the waters
of her womb,
and the sweat and tears
seeping out
into her bosom,
and how she turns
with the breath
surrounding her,
moving in and out,
like a primordial song,

but most of all,
how she holds everything
in one supreme dance
of will and surrender,
of infinite patience,
and a rivetting stillness,
and a quiet knowing
that everything will move,
move on, and grow on.

look to the earth,
and you will know
how to live.