near the newly opened irises

near the newly opened irises
making all the thoughts spill
into earth, transposing a song
began in D - to change
into C--it's important to me

to be clear of no obstacles
feet no longer dragging--
to taste the ooze of cedar bark
dripping, to realize while skipping

that earth, and trees, and all
things sacred--are meant to meld
with minds, open to pursue
the art of no expectations
late enough in the morning

to capture the sun in the crook
of that japanese maple--
now, a bleeding crimson red
so deep- i stop to breathe--
relaxing in the swirling,

newness encircling:
belly chest neck scalp
want to dance, scream, yelp
it's happening again- this restless
spring--slowing down to prayer

in a juxtaposed mountain air
that lake from '66 still felt
in the memory of my long bones'
dancing on a grassy hill
before i knew a blessed thing

about politics, before i would
worry about how to get
anything done, and to have
anything be won...

i rest
in the clear stream
of grateful remembering

words/photo~kate lamberg (c) '17