Opening

Opening

On the river, small moons burst 

with a breath, spattering in bubble pops

like sparks 

over cauldrons of fish. Here on earth

size isn’t everything

but tension might be. Only open

containers hold 

what we gather or grok. Still 

we defend and deny. Walls up

masks on

gates locked

arms armed against

the other. Meanwhile, restless calls 

drift from upriver. At the sea-sky horizon

tiny krill absence

silences massive blue whales.

Temperatures rise, tension builds.

No body is safe

but neither lost

nor far from center. Our scales 

rub and slough

but when we seek home

we return like gravity

to the pacing field within.

Toroidal

each ventricle fills. In time

every valve must open.