I am beneath the forest
dark in a cave of branches
the trees fill the mouth of
the mountain
the river voices
no light passes

I wore the mask of the deer
I lay beside you
I licked your face
I slept by your side

when I awoke
I grew frightened, I
found myself bound

you are gone

but I remain

In the deep of the forest I hide
In the deep of the forest I hide

the water of life did not pass through
the water of life did not pass through
this rock
eroding

I woke from my dream
I woke from my dream of life
the glass broke
the bell is dead
the bell is dead

I am a white flower
fallen on the stream
the root has been cut

I am beneath the lake
the lake
all water
from the mountain flows
swollen, filling
my own weight
pressing myself
against myself
my hand

against the glass

There is nothing but air

and the whiteness of the light
that leads me
high in the mountain
the voice of one
who calls me
in thunder and in peace

and now alone in the dry
grassy field
there are only whispers
and the mountain staring still

and when I look down
I see the day that gave me

that gave me the water
that took me
that took me

away

light
light
light of morning
the fairest light, the fairest light
has come

softly, I feel its coming

night has given
night has given
a place to morning
breath returns and moistens
the grass the birds feather

no longer do I hide
no longer do I hide
gone into darkness

light has come

Joanna Brouk