For Rob

Early morning rising

Body aching 

ever moving 

still.

Out you’d go to greet the day

out to the woods and the beach the trees

you’d go.

Past blackberry bramble 

through burrs in their coats

sun dappled pathways and sandy feet.

Out you’d go to the light 

the water the rain the sky.

You walked it out worked it out 

prayed it out.

You led us here, left us here

in the woods and the wonder 

of this life this day this grief.

Where will we find you now? I wonder out loud 

and out you go

you say in my mind 

out you go

moving toward stillness.

Out of yourself

Out of your mind

Out of your comfort zone

Out of your depth

Get out of yourself

Get out.

Find the water the way the walk

Find the challenge so hard you are sure to fail

Find me in the wind in the work in the walk in the woods

Here in the wonder

Here in the beauty

Here in the breathtaking heart aching unspeakable pain

Here in the challenge

Here in the transformation of who we are to who we could be 

Still.

You showed us the way and left us to it

This transformation

This love this life

A gift offered and received

You led us here, left us here, 

Here in the in between 

You are here and here and here

The stuff of stardust and miracle and moments transient and permanent

You are here,

Still

Here.