What I cannot say
being awakened in each moment
is what I want to say
to convey to myself the holy –
ineffable, silent, mystery – tremendum.

It comes.
If I can live through this moment
the next will come
bearing its lights and fullness.

It is the end of words
what they try to mean
when they wish to say
just one thing,  only one.
Too much, just the thought
before the word.

I saw a bear cross a raging river.
My heart filled with joy –
clapping and shouting
rejoicing in the being
of that moment –
raw power in power
with my eyes to see all
all before me.

That was not it.
Not enough that joy
too little that exhilaration.
What was it?  What was it?
What happened when the bear,
confronting the raging river,
to herself said,
I will leap
into the roiling waters
I will see
what will come of me.

---

Portland, Oregon – August 15, 2018

This experience of seeing the bear cross the White River, which carries the snow/ice melt of the Emmons Glacier from Ti’Swaq (AKA Mt. Rainier), the largest glacier in the contiguous United States,  happened to me  just a few days ago.