This addiction to embrace
was beaten in, still beating
—it’s natural and the urge

to turn toward the light
—we’re at home with speed
with arm in arm the singing

the laughs sent out to become
another sun, another galaxy
and the reeling.

Before there was any land
we already knew how land
loves us, would come for us

and the handhold lift a trembling
that even today the wind
has the scent, a sweetened seawater

so long ago left behind :the rain
falling everywhere
—there’s so little left—the sky

almost dry, hardly a trace
though its currents and tides
and hearts still tighten in that grip

no one has to learn.
No one learns to cry
and though our eyes no longer burn

they still warm the sea
—more and more sand
smelling from tears

—all over the Earth
one sun floating, another on its way
and it’s expected we make room

gather things closer
lifting each flower
to strengthen our arms and voices.