There are so many gifts Still unopened from your birthday, There are so many hand-crafted presents That have been sent to you by God. The Beloved does not mind repeating, “Everything I have is also yours.” Please forgive Hafiz and the Friend If we break into a sweet laughter When your heart complains of being thirsty When ages ago Every cell in your soul Capsized forever Into this infinite golden sea. Indeed, A lover’s pain is like holding one’s breath Too long In the middle of a vital performance, In the middle of one of Creation’s favorite Songs. Indeed, a

Ninth Duino Elegy (excerpt) Earth, isn’t this what you want?  To arise in us, invisible? Is it not your dream, to enter us so wholly there’s nothing left outside us to see? What, if not transformation, is your deepest purpose?  Earth, my love, I want that too.  Believe me, no more of your springtimes are needed to win me over – even one flower is more than enough.  Before I was named I belonged to you.  I seek no other law but yours, and know I can trust the death you will bring. -Rainer Maria Rilke from In Praise of

Testimony (for my daughters) I want to tell you that the world is still beautiful. I tell you that despite children raped on city streets,  shot down in school rooms, despite the slow poisons seeping from old and hidden sins into our air, soil, water, despite the thinning film that encloses our aching world.  Despite my own terror and despair.   I want you to know that spring is no small thing, that the tender grasses curling like a baby’s fine hairs around  your fingers are a recurring miracle. I want to tell you that the river rocks shine like