Consciousness is not a thing, but a process of inference —Karl Friston

.

we will wear
new bones again.
we will leave
these rainy days,
break out through
another mouth
into sun and honey time. 

worlds buzz over us like bees,
we be splendid in new bones.
other people think they know
how long life is.
how strong life is.
we know.


—lucille clifton
new bones

. . .

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.


—Kahlil Gibran

.

wait - what ?

.

Blessing the Boats (at St. Mary's)

.

may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear

may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it
will love your back 

may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that


—Lucille Clifton

. 

not eyes but sight

  

.

I seemed to be drawn
to the center of myself
leaving the edges of me
in the hands of my wife 

and I saw with the most amazing
clarity
so that I had not eyes but
sight, 

and, rising and turning,
through my skin,
there was all around not the
shapes of things 

but oh, at last, the things
themselves.

–Lucille Clifton
The Death of Fred Clifton
11/10/84
Age 49

.

the lesson of the falling leaves

.

the leaves believe
such letting go is love
such love is faith
such faith is grace
such grace is god.

—Lucille Clifton

.