instructions

to plunge

your hands into the
cold river water spilling
over rocks covered in moss
so thick, so green, so soft–
velvet under your fingers

to squint

your eyes in the
light where the sun plays on the
rapids so bright, so brilliant–
a thousand diamonds
dancing on the water

to touch

your tongue to the
bead of honeysuckle
nectar so fresh, so pure–
rainwater from the roots
sweetened with the summer sun

to turn

your ear to the open
window as the robin’s
song drifts through the yard
so nimble, so delicate–
a gold filigree suspended on the dawn

to breathe

deep and fill your
lungs with the scent of
rain and wet earth
so clean, so rich, so musky–
the very mud your body was born of

is

to know

how to be alive.

©stephanie pepper, 2020