In The Forest

Tell me

(I have not seen a shooting star
(I only imagine the northern lights
(if for a brief moment I believe
(in the northern lights

do you believe

(I have not seen a solid lake
(I’ve never slid upon its surface
(I have never been the only one
(to save anything from sliding

that bit

(I have never found a way to
(remove the ego from a story

about the tree

(but have I seen a forest weighed down
(have I seen waterfall vapour turn to ice
(have I known the end of the world
(have I seen a stranger’s smile behind it

in the forest?

(yes

Invisible Crush

Your hair is tousled
from the wind
(you are late again to class)
and yet, somehow,
the strands remain
unshaken
and beautiful

This is how you are in all ways -
Hands, eyes, voice, scent

Even your stance
(apologizing to the teacher)
is steady, strong
uniquely you
wherever you are -

but most of all,
and most evident,
(especially now)
you are who you are
in the way you smile.

All these things I notice.

All I notice, I measure
from a distance
(four desks behind)

Tell me,
(not that you know my name)
do you believe that bit
(the teacher said)
about the tree in the forest?

I wonder.

If I open my mouth
and you don’t hear,
do I make a sound?