Returning to One

Knowing from the inside out —

the black bear’s dreams
during winter’s quiet —
the feel of face
tucked to living fur —

the movements while sleeping
the warmth of life slow-breathing
the rise and fall of consciousness
the sustained or short awakening

to smells’ potent greeting
and hunger’s rhythmic panging —
with unsteady rise and wobbly first steps
we receive the spring as one,
the living other.