sitting on the cold cement steps at the dike watching cormorants dive,
black sleek onyx midnight sheen on their feathers,
i came to meditate but watch instead,
and it works.

im diving in the cold waters of the bay,
light ticling above me and alewives slipping silvery below.
i am rising now on sharp wings into the low october

sun, burnt umber across the pale dune
where a rubby fox crosses among bleached grass
making wind circles.

i wish you were here.

light slides between my eyes,
light rises in my throat,
light pulses in my chest.

there is no I, only you,
only light burning and unburnt.