Near Eden

Water cupped in my two hands

Bears the rich taste of the land.

Paths that loved me brought me here:

Eden must be near.

Maybe when I’ve breathed my last,

When what I know of earth has passed,

I will wander, light and free,

Underneath this canopy.

I drink. The water’s fresh and clean,

And I’m forgetting where I’ve been.

Overhead, a pigeon sings

Of love and gentle things.

If I should dive, would I need air?

Perhaps I would thrive swimming there,

Gathering shells and greeting trout.

I’d never come out.

Pigeon pleads for me to stay—

“Really, it’s a lovely day!”

Eden is not far, I know;

There’s nowhere left to go.