by Rose Flint

I want to be young in wonder again,
to hold a single seed to the sky and marvel
that it owns the energy of a star. I want to
be grown big enough for my vast protective arms
to encompass whole rainforest miracles
of tree-dazzle, life-power. I want to be light
as a leaf on the earth. I want to be the weight
that carries promise-flowers to fruit, greens
Darfur to peace and nurtures Lebanon’s vineyards
through all four seasons gift to eye and tongue.

I want to learn the use of grief that honours those
creature-spirits who leave us, that long, on-going
shadow-procession: Nightjar and Loggerhead,
Gold-ringed Tanager, Arabian Gazelle,
Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, howler monkey,
Hyacinth Macaw and salamander, sea mink
forever swimming to horizons beyond the blue -

I want to learn the use of joy in those who stay,
somehow still keeping faith in the family of humankind:
cranes and sweet horses, rainfrogs and mountain lizards,
Bald Eagles, elk and caracal, Mexican Spotted Owls
thriving on the rooftops of Los Alamos, chaffinch
in the lilacs, coyote, otter, Golden Jackal; huge herds
of shining white-eared kob running on the sands
of South Sudan, parakeets thriving wild in London -

So much I want, a whole world I want - yet want
nothing without first serving World’s want and need. 

©Rose Flint