Afterthoughts

After I am dead
I shall be gone from the day,
and the wind will gather my dust in his arms
and bear me far away.

After I am dead
I shall leave no sign or track,
And the shadow that walked beside me
will be gathered back.

--Oscar Williams

So many shadows
fleeting
swift pass over the
papercrumple contours
of this earth:
life Still in its ages.
Stone motion an illusion
of the skies
scudding gesture.
To caress, as a lover
in the throws of
eternal romance,
met in the Horizon.
Heaven and Earth:
a kiss-embrace
that leads to life
exalted.