Such kindness for this world

There comes a time after rain
when the contented earth is settling down
and the roots of all the plants are breathing in their recent blessing
and the ground is as warm and as fecund
as a strong woman’s welcome home
and the river in the valley is already beginning to swell
and you can almost taste the ocean from which the clouds were born
and a quietly dizzy joy is knocking at your door
and you take off your boots and socks
and you stand there in the forgotten August sunshine
bare-soled and speechless
and your body becomes a prayer
and all the seasons and their segues are somehow gathered in the air
and you realise that your blood is suddenly
full of longing
for a graceful life
and if Grace allows
a graceful death
and the mystery of suffering
silently touches you with her breath

and your weathered heart just
breaks open
with such kindness

such kindness for this world