counting counting on both hands now
for a black wolf on a gopher murdering streak
seeking vengeance for the roots of my lost fig tree
for the memories of the one who is gone but not forgotten
for sweet cheeks with bangs hanging over the darkest sparkling eyes
for his teachings about volcanoes in nicaragua that i never knew about
and spontaneous pirate parties
for rose quartz guitar picks and serenades
for abundance and for the life that swells in the buds of fruit trees anxious to burst open
for the excitement of projects with trusted geniuses who fly on angel wings
for plants who tell me their secrets and their plans
for giggling to sleep and tickles and a game we made up called goose-goose
for kicks to the shins when i'm not paying attention
and the wrench in my gut when i pay the real price
for wise ones who know what's at the bottom of it all
for hope and the generosity of hundreds of miracle souls reaching out to...a hungry dog
for feather treasures and six-deer sightings
and uncomplicated road trips with french fries to keep the natives tranquil
for emails full of foxes on hind legs
for the ocean waves crashing against me in my very near future
for friends who crack open my mind and challenge me with the wisdom of their experiences so very different from my own
for spirit babies and the parents who find them
for breakfast burritos and blueberry pancakes
for releasing rituals and shed skins and growth
for wooly yarn and knitted jokes to keep someone i love laughing
for great trades and handfuls of dread beads to show for it
for first quilt squares and perfect postcards
for homemade pizza and soda fountain cokes
for sunshine that blinds and false spring
and miles homemade fertilizer made of mud and pea gravel pilfered from the walking path
for kestrels and their night hunts outside my cool window
for dogsitters who give extra love and biscuits
for flexibility
for grace
for deep breaths
for calming tea
and open hearts
for trust that never goes away