strength is a fragile thing
these days at least
the mountain
which is me
seems more like a pile of crumbling stones
i can feel the avalanche
it starts with a tiny piece of rock
moved to motion by a thought
gains speed by my mouth
picks up friends around my heart
and it’s a god damned party by the time it reaches my gut
when the unstoppable force is at my feet
i cannot move from the weight of it
yet i remain.
the shell of the mountain
which is me
is supposed to go on
because this avalanche is one of endless storms
one in a constant barrage of destructiveness.
yet i remain.
the next day on the mountain
which is me
brings light
it’s as if the songbirds perform just for me
every plant i touch thrives
and my soul is warm from the sun
i dance with the lizards
and they wish me a good day
as we both eat until we are fat
yet i am told not to crave this life
it is as fleeting
i observe being
i wish for songbirds instead of avalanches
but am told to feel the same for both
that is
they exist
they fill the peaks of the mountain
which is me
they are a part of the ecosystem
which is me
i see
i say hello
i watch it pass
such is life on this mountain
Lavender Farm near Mount Hood, Oregon
July 2019
Kelly Green Guilbeau 