dust and divinity

note to self

I am both
dust and divinity
made of exploding stars
and light, bright
consciousness
paradox at best

I’m shaped to
live this earthly
mucky messy life—
given a circumstance
not of my choosing
taken who knows when

divinity births dust
forges a form
breathes life
planets and star clusters
amoebas and bacteria
centipedes and spiders
maples and passionflowers
hawks and songbirds
four-leggeds and us

we live in form awhile
taste blessings
bear grief
smell jasmine
and kiss soft lips
all holy
all part of that mire

remember, dear one—
muck nourishes lotuses

thank you to Rebecca Evert for two prompts that birthed this poem