Chant for Growing Older

Nothing in nature was meant to be sudden
(Hold me, hold me, let our love ripen) 
The sun takes all night to lift 
The child takes all year to live 
(Don’t leave, like a leaf we are turning) 

Cloud scallops begin in far away currents 
Storm shouts leap from invisible caves 
Death eats first the succulent cells 
And leaves the bright bones until last 
(Hold me, O lover, and hear me past singing)