The High Price

once again

I’ve managed

to wrench the forest path

onto the course

that I desire

like a ship

against the wind

like a wild creature

that I sweet-talk

and bribe with

gifts of food

do not ask me

what it costs

what blood

I’ve had to shed

what is the high price

that I will pay for

all of this

in the end

when I

move the world

I can feel the difference

in every motion

no longer

does it seem

that I’m fighting the tide

with each dance step

and I can

hear you humming

the song of the river

the song of the leaves

as they begin to fall

onto the bed

of autumn