Everything, All at Once

Christian E. Gunning, Gambier, Ohio

This poem emerged from my experiences at the November 2024 teacher accreditation.

Leaving and Arriving, two feet planted firmly
together in softness, in stillness.
Circle sharing, circle moving, circle body-being.
Coming together and letting go.

Sunrise and Sunset, as magpies keep watch
above a city, below a mountain, beside a cliff.
A tree becomes a monk becomes movement, frozen;

Saint Francis and the Holy Spirit.

Past a west-facing window 

snow sifts gently through afternoon light 

as mule deer amble past.
Returning to the feet, to the breath.
“One more,” “last one,”
again and again.

Outside, together and alone,
we move amidst scrub pine and bunch grasses and asphalt
as a golden autumn glow succumbs to evening shadows,
and pealing bells mark our graceful conclusions.

Listening and hearing, a precious gift.
A blessing, seeing and being seen.
Gratitude and Compassion (sound of two hands clasped).