A Secret Purpose

My favorite ceremony
 is the wild, messy kind,
 the woven into ordinary life kind,
 the wander out the door
 at dawn in mud boots
 and offer bread to the birds kind.

My favorite kind of ceremony
 is happening all the time,
 an open invitation to kneel
 in the wet grass and
 breathe in the lilies-of-the-valley
 for the short season they’re here.

To place a square of chocolate
 in the crook of the dogwood
 and imagine the delight
 of the squirrel who finds it.

To greet the branches by name –
 Leaping Elk, Little Sister,
 Silvermoon –
 each one a distinct presence
 and part of an astonishing whole.

My favorite ceremony asks for
 no solemnity, no regalia,
 knows no right way,

just here, now, me, us,
 and a secret purpose to
 bless everything.