samba sweeps

samba sweeps through a spaciousness
unheard of in the material world, growing
with intensity, as sky dims- awaiting

snowstorm-- bringing to mind romance
on a sturdy pebbly sand beach
conforming to a desire for
quietude- in the mood

for slowing
the compass swinging-
as pendulum answers
the question of whether

the climate of an island
will keep spiraling
out of control....or not

if our conscious decision
to recycle, can shine a flashlight
of reconciliation--

too late in the afternoon
to get to the bank---we'll wile away
the storm in a minor key of solemnity

a day of missed appointments may do
more for global unity, and cool
a climate warming-- more so than

the aggressive anger spewing
at marches and demonstrations--
so close to home--

we've known each other as long
as college days are remembered

with a lightness of being- so close
to the vested interests of state and house

keeping it all solidified
with blizzard conditions on their way...

perhaps another influence
on a warming trend
to follow neighbors home

to find tiny flames catching
at the strike of a single
match in a little pot belly stove-

so close to turning over
on its self with a certain
joy of being,
touched in cinnamon and vanilla

touching back
the blackened stone of a bonfire
lit by the same match
a million years before

anyone realized what was
really important

the flames die
to coddle the hard wood
to intimately roll, crack, snap

letting the cool night air swirl
along with the flames of illogical-
so close
to the edges
of the blackened stove

nearly sundown,
and we can already smell
the upcoming flood of a heavy
wet snow, more beautiful

than a person
committed to living
south of the border--
would ever care to know

words/photo~kate lamberg (c) '17