Eclipsed

Full face to the sun

of my carefully made plans,

Then reimagined with intentions of Spring

Eclipsed by a shadow

I did not see coming

Sliding in from the side, in silence

Shouting, stunning me into stillness

Surrendering me.

Still I stand full face to the sun,

Eclipsed

What gifts shine upon me in the obscuring?—

Changed by side swipe of shadow,

Gripping me into stillness

As if I become the night forest at noon

Rooting in the chilling hollow

Seeing my breath, exhaling

Knowing the wisdom of the unseen

Hearing the deafening quiet

with my awakened skin,

Receptive to noises of dark hallowing me

Tasting the mossy menu of dank, murk

Accepting the elixir of vulnerability

Bearing the dangers lurking here now

with a deepening of my trust—

That I am as much a part of the forest

as I am any one tree, one leaf

May I move gently now

in my body of night forest

As the glow of my faith rises to meet

each bare step, each palm pressed

May I stand naked

in this time of eclipsed

Full faced to the noon of night

Cupping the cheeks of Darkness,

Kissing her forehead with patience, kindness,

Thanking her for the gifts of surrender