In beauty

(Navajo prayer with Kingman landscape)

You, packed for the journey, do not have to hold each thought.
Try scattering some on top of cirrus clouds.
Rest others on green prairie grass.
Let one fly out the window as you release your hand to air.

This freedom travels with you.
You can wear it as you walk
between refrigerator and dirt pile,
touching rounded belly that holds no baby,
fretting about keeping the table empty but the cupboard full.

Let it wrap you up tonight.
Let it be the sunlight that wakes you,
the teacher who says, "Yes, you are finding your way,"
the heart's lantern, leading you on in beauty.