for Nina

Poetry is the natural prayer
of the human soul.

                        - Rilke

1

A long dark curve is the poem in your body

                        is the river

            is the loon's throat.

Have you ever asked yourself how

the loon's voice

                        opens?

2

You know it first as change in the body.

Even if the blue place you are dreaming

            is no longer there

                        you must begin.

Something that desires to lift

                                                            these heavy bones

            something simple

                        and beautiful

miraculous as a feather

                                    forms along the blade

                                                                        of each wing.

3

Poised, no longer

                                    settled

            you wait as every part of you sheds

                        what once was,

                                    and is no longer

                                                            necessary.

Close to shore you prepare.

            And what will it cost you?

            And what is this --

                                    haunting and wild, now

                        still in your throat, now

                                    trembling--

Set it free

                        whatever it may cost you

set it free

            - by Cheryl Hellner

Cheryl was a subscriber to the print version of Heron Dance, years ago. If you are her, or you know her, please be in touch.