To kiss the whole world,
To scoop it close in wild embrace,
To feel its heart beat pulsing as my own,
Its passion and its pain,
To hug it closer still,
Letting its cry touch me,
To bring it through the wall of my own flesh,
Deep into my sol where spirits intertwine,
I want to.

c 1984 Joann Nelander
 

Oh, I’ve waken to new sunshine of dawns risen o’er the hills.
I’ve swum in quivering rivers, and climbed in flight as gulls.
I’ve shown bright with each moonlight, and fallen with each star.
I’ve feathered clouds with soft down and sprinkled rain afar,
I’ve snuggled to a blade of grass, and clutched a rose as dew.
I’ve painted rainbows ‘cross the sky and lavished them with hr.
I’ve suckled sweetness from a bloom and fluttered free to soar.
I’ve slept beneath the Tree of Life,
and dreamed these dreams before.

c 1984 Joann Nelander

Eyes show me new horizons,
But memory holds fast the old.
Ears tell me there are new tunes,
But heart renders past as gold.
I sniff the fragrance of fresh flowers,,
But yet I cling to other Mays,
I taste the flavor of new honey,
But savor only yesterday.

c 1984 Joann Nelander