Vows

Standing here with my feet on the earth,
I can feel my roots,
and feel the earth
and because dust calls to dust,
I can touch 
all the places I've been.

I can visit my spots
and feel my heart rest.

I can touch the cool warmth 
of my earths
reminding me of origins of clay
and dust
and with that reassurance
I have lived my life.

When I looked into the black pools
of your caldera eyes
the first time,
the black drew me in and then gave way.  
I saw the stars
that whirl in that black lake.
Reflecting from the void above.

Then, staring deeper,
at a pinpoint,
I found the earth -
roots and clay.

I found star dust
and because dust calls to dust
I found you.

You answer the echoes.
Your stars fill my voids.
Your voice calls my dust
and singing,
it tames it
to dance with your stars.

With you,
the dust of my life
can settle down.
I can dance on the moon and stars
and with you in my heart
my feet can still touch the earth.

So, I promise
to touch the earth,
but to dance forever
in the starfields of your eyes.

I swear to share
our dust with the world
but the first sharing 
will always be with you.

I will only sing 
in the starlight
of your eyes
and no others.

And our dusts,
that of stars and earth
and moon and roots
will mingle in the clays
of forever.

Kathleen Hover
05/19/04