Settling

The earth settles in its orbit

trees settle their toes into the dirt

rivers settle crystal roads into their lanes

the sky itself settles its weight

lightly upon everything

like a white dove’s wing

people settle into their chairs

lovers settle into an embrace while

wine settles in their glass as

a purple bruise

memory settles into my brain

chimney smoke settles on the hill

the book settles its acrid heft

onto a shelf in the dining hall

children settle into their beds,

husbands and wives just settle;

The earth settles easy in its orbit

so why can’t I settle back

comfortable into myself?