For R. Murray Schafer
rivers flow into rivers
reflection scatters into spindrift
wind wails into psalm
so music flows
into the bloodstream
dance into the bones
words breathe
a brush stroke quivers a pulse
stars jewel a crown
a hunter antlers a stag
an old woman withers into a girl
a carcass births a young man
and wolf rhythms the moon
rivers flow into rivers
I am a tributary of you
you are a branch of me
our waters swirl into clouds
we river
we rain
Rae Crossman
Published in Descant, Issue 88
Set for choir by Jennifer Butler to celebrate Murray Schafer’s 80th birthday. Performed by the Wolf Project chorus.