The beloved has no
Marker, the stone
Everlasting is all water
Rolling over reedy
Stems, pads of pure
Lily struggle up toward
Slivers of sunlight, surging
Buds burst through onto
A shimmering surface of
Lake, reflections of dry land
Circling in, branches spread
Darkness over blossoms
Floating in a moment, fragile
Mirror and image evaporate,
Vapor turns to thin air
As surely as the body,
Tight heart and bone,
Escapes finally into
Soul and free blue cloud,
Surging heavens, sudden
Rain slanting back
Toward shadowed soil,
Imperfect drops as if
Choosing to return
To earth and to dust.
Sky lying down next to
Root once more.