I gave my cares

to the earth,

to the tumbled soil;

my fears

to the wind’s knife edge;

and my tears

to the rivers and

spreading sea.

A thudding grief

expelled

in howl and echo.

I came undone.

Nothing remained

but time and space,

and the residue

of flint-hard hope

to begin

again.

— C.Birde, 12/17