In the open space at land’s end
surf sky mix, elixir of sighs.
Wild grasses brush my only body,
I set loose their seed.
The poppies bow; I nod back.
Burrowing worms, apostles of soil,
unpack earth from their pockets.
I trace their roof everywhere,
taste the salt in the light of the sea,
honey from bees on bread
I break with gulls assembled
at the coast oak, vestments ruffling
in the eye of our tabernacle,
my method of prayer,
delight and one life. Yet
out of the flux and flow
silver glint and blue
where we began, how we return
home becomes a salmon scent,
desire a magnet pushing muscle
rising engorged incarnadine
rough bed tossed, gifts laid to gravel
lotus earth on edge turning
en pointe rising––
rise up in league with oceans
push with your mighty lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Axelrod Mitchell is a community organizer in her home area of Point Reyes Station. She’s been a reporter for a weekly newspaper, an environmental NGO staff member and an (early-retired) attorney. She has a BA in Literature, pursued graduate Lit. coursework and studied with a couple of well-published poets. She continues reading literature, poetry, history and current affairs. Her work has appeared in the Marin Poetry Center anthology.