Return to Center

author’s note:

I've memorized this poem, so as to use it for medicinal purposes.

But I suppose that's how we use all poetry--for medicinal purposes.


RETURN TO CENTER

In the dream, the waterdrops
from the towering redwood trees
touched the mirror of the black pond
as if inserting cold needles
down into my heart...

creating rings within rings of ripples--

the waves spreading
until finally striking
the rocks along the shore

then coming back
to center. All the circles gathering
to a still point...a point

that could not remain
so still--a point
I could not hold

but a stillness that I know
I can recall
whenever I break
against those rocks.

© 2012, Michael R. Patton
dreaming steps