These shoes have walked some strange streets

stranger still to come --

sometimes the prayers of strangers

are all that keeps them from

trying to stay static,

something even death can't do

everything is motion --

to the motion be true



In this cold commodity culture

where you lay your money down

it's hard to even notice

that all this earth is hallowed ground --

harder still to feel it,

basic as a breath --

love is stronger than darkness

love is stronger than death



The gift

keeps moving --

never know

where it's going to land.

You must stand

back and let it

keep on changing hands



Hackles rise in anger,

heat waves rise in sex.

The gift moves on regardless

tying this world to the next.

May you never tire of waiting,

never feel that life is cheap.

May your life be filled with light

except for when you're trying to sleep.



The gift

keeps moving --

never know

where it's going to land

you must stand

back and let it

keep on changing hands.



(Toronto, February 9, 1988)