The Properties of Jade

One of us

is as unpredictable as a river;

the other, as intransigent

as hardened lava.

But I heard what nightingales

wrote to the wind,

as a message for skylarks;

the night calling to the day,

the bay asking to be invaded

by the ocean.

 

I wait for a sign from trees.

I would tell you, if you want

to kiss me, then kiss me. You

already had permission

from the sky. Claim me, if

you think I am yours. Marry me

if you think you could tame

a star. I will accept.

 

You say, but I would need

to change. And I remind you,

the rock splits the water apart,

alters its course, and opens

its channels, without shame.

The river erodes the boulder’s

pride, overcomes its boundaries,

smooths its rebelliousness.

 

The river carries the residue

of silt; the rock is left with

polished memories. Who

are we, to defy the laws

of Nature herself?

I have studied the properties

of jade, for enough time, to know

how being possessed

by an opposing force, awakens a

resilience we would otherwise

never remember.

 

Reviews

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

This only got better as I read on... And I know that dynamic you speak of in this piece. In the grips of your equal, but opposite constantly challenging one another. It's a special kind of relationship... Great write!