8.      Appalachian winds

Late summer gentle breeze, warm

covering the shoulders and holding around the waist.

Rock back and forth, graze the hair out of place and

exhale all the up through the tops of the hills

descending into valleys on the way across the ancient chain.

Breathing holds a heart, some hearts,

bracing against the wind and an earthquake,

shattering with distance.

But protected and

at ease with the cloud movements

because they sway together and pause.