they might have noticed
the bear
whose movement
down the hallway
resembled a private waltz
they might have noticed
the bear
whose movement
down the hallway
resembled a private waltz
or hard-won swagger
that comes from knowing
trails, from soft leaf language
from the tricky custom of rivers
all this
they might have seen
coming through that hall
where thought-bones
became walls
piled so high
the bit of blue
might be sky
might be buffalo
might be buffalo china
might be blue jeans
where they instructed:
measure out mystery
construct
by creating more bones
chew till your teeth crack
or someone brings medicine
this is how things change
skins conceal
but not entirely
dreams edge out
in four directions
like paws
with quiet purpose
coming closer
take time to notice
now
there are good tracks
down these hallways
the air smells of
cedar, sage
tobacco & sweetgrass
with minds made fit
for green & life
we begin again
our words grow bright wings
take flight in possible skies
our thoughts gather in
their bones, their fur
their grace & remember
to walk
with gratitude
this is how things change
years from now
someone will
most certainly stop
in these hallways
& say
i heard this story
about a bear
923 public://desmarais_change.mp3
