return

our bodies
return to dust
and is that why
we walk around
with tears in our eyes
crying out the dust
trying
to see each other more clearly

were we made of dirt
to be quickly swept away
by a creator cleaning
for the next universe
disposable
expendable
easily washed away by flood waters

civilizations bury bodies
in the ground
or burn them to ashes
and it makes me think
something deep down
understands
that we belong to earth and air
and not ourselves 

and considering it more
maybe returning to dust
isn’t returning to nothingness
or irrelevance
but returning to community 

that no matter how alone
i might feel
i can touch bare feet
to muddy ground
and connect with all
of humanity 

and maybe a creator
of mud men and mud women
wasn’t being careless
but looking for the best medium
for the most recyclable
and magnificent
art project
in the universe

you
and
i
returning
again
and
again