A Kingdom We Know

Like a long-grass covered creature
Shivering against forearms and eyelids,
A remarkable beast,
Done up in natural brilliantine
In drifting search for pear or pine
Reaching hungrily for a flavor,
Composing another.

Unstable and bowing calves attempt to parade-
A slender support for our unproven strengths:
East,
West,
Always room for North and South.
Everywhere restless and contagious-
A grand colored animal,
Pausing to flaunt the sweet of her fetlock.

There, in a quiet parted moment
We choose and take our breath,
To make the best with what we have.
When our offhand green slips from beneath
Tenderly or terribly, we are thrust forward,
Forced to make the best, or leave multitudes behind
In briar-thick fog.
Not endless, we are meant to reveal the bigger life inside.
Not exclusive, we are meant to wrestle it with life outside.
Twin struggles that bear any canine,
A wild toss at the throat of the tame,
A swampy mixture of mare and swine.
Ever handsomely,
A solemn figure taking shape.

With eyes sky-wide and strange,
So eloquent,
With a similar smile.
What passes is a purposeful sigh,
A low and inward hum,
Like a noble bird with its many wings
Gently poised to rest,
Down-feathers shining from secret angles,
Perched high on a proud branch,
Brightly regal and self-possessed.