The fool capers through the festival’s throng

Reaching into their multicolored bag

Throwing out thick black clouds heavy rain drops gossamer rainbows

People frown in confusion gasp in wonder smile in delight

They reach down reach out reach up

Some gather these hold them close and run

Lest they be asked to share their treasures

Some stand still raise their faces and enjoy

All this new raiment as happens to fall

Some join in join hands join together

Saying here

Taste this stratus listen to this droplet feel these hues

The fool jumps into the air climbs into the sky

Claps their hands disappears into the rent

Glitter and ash rain down

The sun and moon become one

Laughter echoes across the world

We are all waiting

Breathing at different times

In different rhythms in different ways

With each inbreath we inhale the world

With each outbreath we create anew

In the pause between are all possibilities

A god turned swan chooses to take flight rather than ravish

An assassin turns the gun on himself and war is diverted

An artist becomes successful and 6 billion lives are spared

And also

A child learns to skip amongst encouraging cheers

A man chooses a caress rather than a blow

A woman drops her clothes to stand revealed

People of other gender other view open their eyes to freedom

What did happen what can happen exists only in that moment

Breathe yourself and consider these things

I stand in the middle of the field.

The morning sky above is clear and unclouded,

With the grass still wet from dew

And the birdsong playing from the trees.

I raise my hand above my head

To offer to the warming sun this:

My heart torn from my chest, bloodied and beating still.

Here, I give this freely,

Rather than have it wrenched against my will.

I say this with a scream. Or is it a whisper?

I open my fingers and release it.

It falls to the ground and rests there trembling.

I turn and walk away, not looking back.

It will be carrion for the flesh eaters

And even its decaying stench will dissipate.

No regret, this is what happens.

(What? Were you expecting it to transform into a bird

And fly away?)