Family

Family

Long fingers move
methodically,
and Piano takes
the lead,
as Clarinet grasps
its busy hands, both
happy to welcome
Flute,
who breathlessly joins
the venture--
the joyous search
to discover
the tattered tales
of each individual
piece of driftwood,
while swaying
to the log rhythms.

Driftwood,
together now,
were once solitary
strangers
rooted on distant shores,
before each journeyed
to this spot,
to become something more;
a community,
an integral part
of a Poseidon sculpture,
bleaching together
into one great White;
all there,
still wearing the sand
they picked up
rolling across the welcoming
beach after
riding the tall waves
like war canoes;
adrift yet resolute,
as they searched
in their way
for sanctuary;
feeling compelled
to mingle,
to tangle,
to add themselves,
to become part
of their very own
sea wall.

Glenn Buttkus March 2008