The patterns of the form
constellate my arms and legs,
creating Crane Spreads Wings,
Cloud Hands, and Ride the Tiger
from soothingly flowing glides
of steps and waves and turns.

Breathe gently, gaze calmly,
listen for the echoes of memory,
smooth the moves and flow
like a mountain stream
over rocks worn round by soft waters.
There’s no rush to reach the sea.

Like Sirius and Polaris,
brilliant scintillations in night’s black,
T’ai Chi shines serenely
on a calm canvas of breath and earth.
The interstitial emptiness inspires life
in constellations of stars and flesh.

David M. Frye
April 28, 2009
Denton, Neb.