An Sliabhbhean

I remember when she lovingly cut me open
And then kissed my heart to wakefulness
An Sliabhbhean . . .
I danced alone in a far off Durango night
Mountains quietly giving their lazy smiles in a circle around me

The imprint of her kiss stills burns when I fall asleep
Making my eyes snap open
Making me feel all too mortal, all too human
With very little time left to live

I like to hide from her vastness
Her immense open arms and gently searing eyes
Eyes infused with uncompromising vital sovereignty
Arms formed of ice, snow, flower, and sunlight
Seducing me from my chair of reluctance
To dance the pain into my feet
Washing my heart

You can see her patience with us
In the caressed curves of red rock
The deep meandering of breathing canyons
And the slow steady movement of the stars at timberline

You can feel her rage with us
In the furious winds that only the mountain born have known
The stubborn inversions of smog that she refuses to inhale
And the wild firestorm of Ponderosas turned into Gods

"Oh pitifully powerful lad!
Two ripe hills for the taking
Kisses lingering till the stars burn themselves cold
Swells and valleys to explore with reddened pulse
Lust
Destruction of fear!
Absence of apathy, immortal sovereignty!
These are the things I offer to you"

"I will wait for you at the mountains end
In the pebble at the bottom of the waterfall
In the morning sun atop distant hills
In the call of the raven rending truth
Stand up! Walk!
Listen to the sound of my voice"

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