by Marianne Lyon
Why look for God?
Look for the one looking for God
but then Why look at all?
He is not lost
He is right here – Rumi
I circle dawn lake
stop at brilliant light patch
scented Pinecones drop
From ceiling of trees
blackbirds preen on branches
sagging over tarn
Am drawn to clearing
cannot walk by breathe deeper
lose urge to go on
Is God right here
He may be dear Rumi
but still I feel adrift
He gently whispers
look for unmarked path
feel your breathing unravel
Still hear breeze on lake
a song that blackbirds imitate
I walk off matey footpath
Off familiar stretch
silence walks with me
wish I was a bird
A black bird not lost
cheeping long vowels
trilling contented
Marianne Lyon has been a music teacher for 43 years. After teaching in Hong Kong she returned to the Napa Valley and has been published in various literary magazines and reviews. Nominated for the Pushcart Award 2016. She has spent time teaching in Nicaragua. She is a member of the California Writers Club, Solstice Writers in St. Helena California. She is an Adjunct Professor at Touro University Vallejo California. She was awarded the Napa Country Poet Laureate 2021 title.