mountain paths

there are moments
when hope thrives
in every tiny cell
encoding my life

there are days when
my skin knows how
to do much more
than simply age

instructing my voice
to chant with the ardor
of a thousand songs
of passionate longing

coaxing commanding
my heart to beat with the
vibrantly sensual rhythms
of a thousand lovers

in these times my spirit
twines like hungriest vines
over every mossy rock
and painted stone

then explores my heart
each wildly winding path
that binds this mount
to distant shores