Rapture in the sky

Mountain wanderer

hailing your dominion of the air

The winds that I—

settled among the pines and manzanitas

—can’t trace in my arms

your wings sense to their shyest puff

The hours you torque above the valley

every creature crisp under your gaze

Hills are but ripples in your swells

Fences don’t even whisper a rebuke—

Raptors!

Atop the sentient world

Crown for me this heaven-chartered home

Andy Oram
February 11, 2025