Next time what I'd do is look at 
the earth before saying anything. I'd stop 
just before going into a house 
and be an emperor for a minute 
and listen better to the wind 
    or to the air being still. 

When anyone talked to me, whether 
blame or praise or just passing time, 
I'd watch the face, how the mouth 
has to work, and see any strain, any 
sign of what lifted the voice. 

And for all, I'd know more -- the earth 
bracing itself and soaring, the air 
finding every leaf and feather over 
forest and water, and for every person 
the body glowing inside the clothes 
    like a light. 




ws