at the birthing of the dawn

there he was.


where the first bloodsap surges

there he is

where the sharp new spring purges

there he is

where the first bud breaks back the earth

there he is

where the ragged robin bled

there he is

where daffodils dare

where the last snow laid bare

there he is.


where drowsy dragonfly hover

there he is

where merry bee doth dance his delight

there he is

in the harsh summer light

there he is

where the red reynard prowls

there he is

where the boldhearted songbird sings

where wingbeats break the silence

there he is.


where the wind worries the leaves

there he is

where the bloodgold corn sighs

there he is

where the lawless eagle cries

there he is

where the wild hunt rides

there he is

where the deepest dark bides

there he is

where the russet rich fruit ripen

there he is

where the dying leaves fall

and the hoarse winds howl

there he is.


at the dying of the day

there he will be.


he is

the space between the leaves

the gap between the heartbeat

the wind in the trees

the harvest corn

the sigh of deep woods

the death of the dying

the birth of the new

Gavin Duley, 2002