listen close for footfall of dance
here
whose past and always presence
rise and fall
as shadows flit across the warm earth
grasses shimmying against the elegant arch
of a silvered trunk
an arm flung against a vast sky
the copper curve framing firmament
beholding this held place
this stirred ground
this birthing water
under dappled light the trees remember
gathered women
strong words
tender gestures
and all these many stories
build it up brick
build it up glass
build it up copper
let the light pour through
let the past in
push against the distancing divide
to bathe those faces in the sun
echoing with the sound of song and laughter
the strength of a gentle touch
under the weight of trees
and their knowing
women
and their gathering
dancing
and this future