What lies below affects the surface
Who am I without the land? — the rivers, mountains,
valleys, trees, forests — even the stones,
are alive and moving gayly.
Our moments here, in company, or alone;
all continual movement hones
the very atmosphere, daily.
I need to be near the skin of the earth — on my own,
by myself with the land — gnawing the bone
that flows, that knows my human frailty.
The red in my blood is shown
and repeated through natures's stone.
I am amazed that I actually thrive / survive.
The stone is blood red because of the loan
of iron content — that special energy blown
into and coming from the red color — life's fluid drive.
Balance, symmetry, consistency are touchstones.
When the wind speaks, I am taken to the zone
of pattern, movement and loveliness of the land,
beauty that is transient, yet with healing undertones;
a visual entrance into life which ebbs and flows
with the red color — its energy flowing through all the land.
By Annette Gagliardi
inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, Rivers and Tides
published in Amethyst Review, Feb. 12, 2021 at:
