wide river, new year
let the waters roll
let the rains fall gently
let tree and flower and herb flourish
let the air be sweet
with the scent of leaf and fruit and blossom
let the snows of winter lightly fall
and blanket the earth
and her sleeping greenery
against the bitter frost
let the stars shine brightly
and let the crisp air
on this eve of a year newly born
fill my lungs
fire my heart
and awake my soul

more than a year after his passing
i read the word of slow turtle

every day is a good day
you need rain
you need sun
you need wind to blow things around
every day is a good day

it is true of the day
and true of the year

wide river, new year
let the waters roll
let the rain and snow fall gently
let the air be sweet
for the healing of the peoples
let me lift my song to the stars
in the wild beauty of night
and let my prayer be
that my song may be worthy
of so fair a night
so sweet a love
and so rich a year

(... rio ancho, año nuevo)
5.i.99