I Am Peace

                                               – for Todd Vanderband

                                          I am peace

                                          who comes
                                          from forested places,
                                          peace who slips
                                          under your early door,
                                          peace who remembers
                                          every darkness
                                          in living color.

                                          I am peace 

                                          who comes in stacks
                                          of dry found kindling
                                          eager for a flame,
                                          peace that rises
                                          before any morning mist
                                          becomes aware of you,
                                          peace that knows
                                          my own silent
                                          dawns too well.

                                          I am peace

                                          who hovers close
                                          when foundling pines
                                          begin to weep their needles, the
                                          peace of murmuring water
                                          that quivers near
                                          our midnight shore,
                                          peace found in
                                          the inner taste of
                                          milk that we sip through
                                          a solitary straw.

                                          I am peace

                                          who asks for
                                          nothing, peace
                                          who aches
                                          at the center
                                          of all things, peace
                                          who loves very slowly
                                          and large beyond
                                          what you can understand
                                          without me.