Stella

She might as well be real
I hold her in one hand and cradle her with the other
ridiculous, really
a creature who can fly needing cradling
as if that would keep her safe, or grounded
even more ridiculous
she cannot fly
and falling will not hurt her
Stella, the fuzzy- headed stuffed toy Blue Jay.

You gave her to me
"We want you to have Stella," you said
Stella, the Blue Jay Guardian of your retreat
the Muse of your creative process
the fluffy heart beat you carried around for three days
You want me to have her.

I screamed with joy. You saw me. Surrounded me.
I took that heartbeat, honored.
I know what she carries.
This is your bravery and your hope; this is our intimacy.
This is what happens next.

Teaching and Learning Haiku

Twilight pond shimmers

A swan glides between two moons

It is. Reflection