Earth and Sky

R. M. Zurkan, Fairhope, AL

The gift of tai chi
Allows me to rise
in the morning in
Unity with earth and sky
And all that lies between
I am I, a creature
Subject to all laws
between earth and sky,
Guilty of small vices,
Prey to giant fears
Yet in my vulnerability
I rise and sing,
Praising earth and sky
And all that lies between –
Sun, rain, sleet, snow,
green leaves and
Barren branches
trembling in the wind
outside my door.
Confined yet not alone
between earth and sky,
I am the world,
the world is in me.