River Stones
Saint Paul, 31 January 2007
before you arrive
I balance a cool river stone
on your door handle
knowing you’ll touch it.
the first day
you pick it up
look above you
set it beside your door
the second day
you pick it up
look around you
slip it in your pocket
on the third day
you examine it
perhaps admiring its color
or how smooth it seems
in the days after
I imagine you lose yourself
in the details of every stone
and these moments comfort
some time later
you knock on my door
to show me the stones you found
and to share the mystery
yes I say
I like how this feels
between my fingertips
you are pleased
after you leave
I wonder if you think
of the ribbons of water
that polished your stone
I can’t recall
which one of us remarked
stones come from bigger stones
so infinity was once a rock