1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
The Golden Iris

A new line
for a new beginning,
and the lover's journey
never ends: this Iris
has once again raised its arms
towards the sun.

She has learned to rise above
her shadow.

Later, in the cold blue hush,
night falls upon the earth;
she does not
shudder. Eyes closed,
she sleeps. In her dreams
her hollow stem burns
with the sun's heat. At dawn,

the sun's morning dew begins
to pool in the curve of her
and she thinks, "This is what its like
touching the divine."