While you hold it you can’t get lost. …

Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

—William Stafford, from “The Way It Is”

•••

I am the thread, one who keeps you connected to all things.
You can try to release me, but you’re always connected

to all things on this planet, seen and unseen—
especially to the trees and the leaves falling now,

the buds tight inside that, before long, will bring new life.
It is the way of things, and you know this,

even as you despair over the doings of men. Yes,
tragedies occur daily; people suffer and get hurt and die.

You will get old, and, even more difficult, so will those
around you. “Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.”

But the connection with birds and sea and air and wind,
of every living, breathing thing (yes, the rocks, too)

is yours for this time and beyond. I am the thread
that unites every thing, that links you to the All.

I am the divine connection that will never leave—
like the ones falling from trees now,

the ones behind them waiting to be born.

•••

With my deep appreciation to the poetic genius of William Stafford, to his family, particularly to his son Kim Stafford, and to Brian Rohr of the Stafford Challenge for their contributions to the art of poetry and encouragement of poets.