Pride

Pride

Mountain blooms parade in showy mats, in clusters 

scattered across scree. Preternatural

is a judgement. Fragile 

is another. Meanwhile, oxytrope grows

alchemizing stone to soil 

with symbiotic bacterial teams. So

transforms the world, breath 

by breath

by breath. In the valley below

great horned owls percuss the

gluey gloaming air. Awake

or not, life responds. Some scurry

or ruffle. Others roll over. On the mountain

petals rise, sharp-keeled and stem-hairy

navigating the season’s

unknowns. We all face uncertainty

hardened by judgment. Still

open or closed, life thrives

on a spectrum. Our bow of light bends

between earth and sky.

Breathe. Arrows may fly. Perennials 

put down roots and persist.