By the Ocean

I'm going to sit right here on this earthly soil...see what happens
going to walk to the fringes of this water...feel a wave touch my toes
I'm going to kneel and put my hand-print in the muddy
going to stare down the sandpiper that's staring at me
I'm going to fling my arms in the air
square off with the sky
smile at the sun
hug the air
marvel at God and his wonder

by Shonnese C. L. Coleman

Mid-day Hike

Edge of cliffs rocks on water
don't fall climbs constant
never-ending forward
never-shrinking mountains sky high
your world is vast-fast and slow-moving covid-spreading
mind-wandering dust-kicking
chatting down star sacrifices, their vices in the wood
holy no but holly should cleanse its heart in the stream
navigating streams, broken burnt-hollow we are
breathing through the mask
following trails, ducking spittle in the air
log bridges to lift us up as we shield on born day
a new way to celebrate still being alive

by Shonnese C. L. Coleman