RELEASE: A Moment

I did not plan survival or otherwise 
            craving absence for so long 
so when awakened that snowless night 

the sky a slush of stars 
            as when I was a child 
the twisted tightness gone 
            from inside me 

I could not quite recall the end 
            of the dream dropping from me 
like petals—grief falling away 
            seasonless 

to stand me next to the birch tree 
            long glass between . . . 
its darkness paler 
            than my own 

empty and open, pliantly rooted 
            my fingertips yearning 
the first bud of leaf 
            allowing the knowledge 

that if I do not speak 
            even my voice 
will stay beautiful