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