only one way out 
just like you heard
down the mountain

don't think. 
follow the center
of your future river
down

pass the shed of your 
cousin.
walk.

the country turns dead earth into wood
and i turn it further thus
snapped off in haste once
pegged for eager duty
and held up to the sun for 
those gathered to admire

a tree, a length of tree, a stout
handle to the living, 
brought to chaos unwittingly
like sunrays
into the squinting eyes
of the lovers, 
into the tease border
we push out against, 
again

years later you walk your age
in the rings