Tribal Survivors

 
The Moon engorged
upon the brilliance of stars
in a cratered solitude
a tribal survivor
of meteorite
proud and strong
its one good eye
looming over the earth
Yet –
It is no match for the size
of our hearts through absence –
the lunar tide of distance
pulls as hard against resolve
as a shore averse to self

I see you arrayed in carbon
olive skin matted with sweat
inhaled into the black lung
of the scorched dance  

The mountains choke
on laharic mass flows
sediment-rich floods
from clogged bronchioles
over the beaver traps

The moon is obscured
by smoke and mirrors
atop the Blue Ridge tonight
despite her magnitude of orbit
yet is habitually present
in blessing or curse
and we know it

Just as you are here with me
and I am there with you
each engorged
upon the light of the other
in a cratered solitude
tribal survivors
proud and strong
~