BEATING

running up the hill, high up and up higher
i felt you in the soles of my shoes
in the fallen flower petals at my feet
in the doves landing on the phone lines
in the lazy glow of late afternoon
in the breeze of island breath across my cheek
in the heart of everything animate

on the boat at sea, way out and out further
i saw you as a mother whale giving birth
rolling upon herself and writhing
rushing with the agony and ecstacy of
pushing the life blood from her
into the greater pool of the world

in the ring of dolphins surrounding the mother whale
i felt your angelic protection
in the grace of their knowing
in the compassion of their purpose
in the feminine wisdom within them

in my chest i fell you beating
beating
beating

always, i feel you beating
beating
beating