“Spring Practice”

The woods are asking me
to practice Tai Chi with white pines,
to align my spine with the tree
prized for building ship masts.

The woods are asking for
my joints to loosen, to open
spaces for the trills of bluebirds.

The woods are asking for
my shoulders to fall like soft rain,
my crown to lift like the violet
blossom rising on her slim neck.

The woods are asking me
to ward off sorrow,
to separate the clouds,
to paint the rainbow.

The woods are asking me
to open from within,
to become the wild goose
spreading its wings.