To the source

Pianissimo

to feel the day creep

bloodless, heavy-limbed and headless

from the bed of the estuary.

The climb is steep;

the wind follows.

It's a solo scale

to practise the route

for the later variations

of slow ascent and rash descent

through trusting shoots

and crashing shale.

Hear the water sing;

the running bubbles

bring its music down the mountain,

bear the sun's breath over rams' bones

and green pebbles

from the clear spring.