Learn the World
Speak a new language
so that the world
will be a new world.
~ Rumi ~
flower gardens—large red dahlias
pink peonies, blue hydrangea
and tiny violets found in the grass
root gardens too
cool river streams
over smooth rocks
under your feet
salt water lit by sunshine
tasted in a dark bed
soft spy fingers
pushing you against the wall
in foreign undertones
with eyes closed
listen to world music
practice the language of desire
empathize with your neighbor
your enemy
the man in the photo on the front page
of the morning paper
walk through your dreams
with a stranger asleep
on the other pillow
smoke tobacco hand rolled
in grape flavored leaves
raise your voice to the sky
your arms in revolt, in adoration
your heart open
to the whole wide world.