Shalom

hellos

words for welcome

wishes for wholeness

salutations for security and safety

offerings for the freedom of the adventure

thanksgiving for arriving home

the images swirl and

spin and blur about my head

linger with the ghosts

and spirits at the doorway

watching waiting from without

goodbyes

prayers for prosperity on the journey

blessings for peace during the long partings

the shadow stretches from the mountain

with the setting sun and covers the earth

one morning with

roots and blades

of wet grass at my feet

alone i find myself

for the first time

greeting myself

-shalom

i whisper

touching my face

with the hands of the stranger

radiant and broken

distant and near

knowing from that moment

from that place

open now before me

there would be

no more farewells