Inspiration

Hand to hand

we pass this glowing gem

my fingers close over it

and I reach and rotate 

my wrist and let it fall

into your grip

and with your touch

it is transformed 

into a different jewel

because it is made new

for each of us.

So it is again

when you let it fall

into the next hand

and the next

only by sharing around

our circle can we know

that it will come once more 

along its infinite course

into our grasp 

like an ember that 

is always lit

with an interior flame.

And our eyes meet

with delight as we watch

the shape and color turn

every one of us 

with our singular talents

as different as fingerprints 

we would recognize 

each other anywhere 

in a night without stars

just by the radiance 

and color of the stone

and it’s burning gift.