Arc of the day —
the silvered breath of early morning,
dew-clad ferns and grasses,
the warming climbing sun,
Arc of sounds — rousing calls
of turkeys, ravens,
mourning doves chiming in later,
cicadas at mid day, blackbirds
all day long, tits and finches
at intervals

Arc of the year — grasses
turning green, then pink and purple,
darkening heads, the onset of golden,
arc of their stalks, bending in the wind,
Arc of blooming — iris, ox-eyes, self-heal,
blackberry, roses

Ark of the covenant —
yea, verily —
all these moments are held
in the perfect curve of joy,
graceful bend of honor
and humility,
softly domed
by the arc of sky.

©Wendy Mulhern
June 12, 2016