THE KIVA YOU CAME FROM

THE KIVA YOU CAME FROM

Follow the Chaco Stick
on the trail leading into the sun.
Mapped, and you have water,
and can see your tent

under that rock that will keep you
from getting lost. Whatever functions
big Kivas held, the people inside them
had nothing to do with you. Walking

this path you will find more than Kiva.
Walking this way you will see
yourself circling kivas not built by force,
kiva before stars on dark nights

in darkness, too small to be anyone's
flash of lightning. Kiva away from it all.
Kiva too far out to be visited by power.
Kiva whose firm purpose

is descent. Kiva too wild to be seen
or known. Kiva under stars
away from fear, even as it fills with fear's creation.
Kiva where people wrap themselves

around each other in bleached grass.
Kiva of no choice and natural.
Kiva you're looking for. Kiva found
around you, surrounding and peopled.

Jim Bodeen
3 April 2011