Here's to Rescue

Here's to rescue remedy that precluded

my caving in on another self. I needed wanted to know what would occur 

only if good.

I could have drowned myself in clematis rock rose impatiens star of bethlehem cherry rose alongside the full faith 

and confidence of my guide who normed my window view away from fear 

then smoothed a hand across my forehead 

breathing breathing justice love 

a climate of lifelong calm

search-and-replacing burning oak leaves failing to perfume 

my transplanted Midwestern personality 

to western acreage thick with 

reluctant kisses in a field of admiration

Now I hear of privileged distance stretched across the chalky limestone soil

where healing grows one Bach flower 

at a time, as if each real plant

equaled its own echo.

A therapist declared

You need to learn to savor

Why go so fast you fail to notice

what is there

Now decades after I move in stillness

lighter for having lost love found love

in the middle of a field of self.