Daniel Thomas

After Thirty Years Together

Sherpas lift us onto their backs
and carry us down the mountain path.

We made the long climb to the summit,
strained to see through clouds of confusion.

From time to time, the sun slid out
and shone on a wind-swept lake.

Now, the spring paths are rutted mud.
Not many years remain.

Fog still clouds our eyes,
our spirits of separate natures.

We ride on generous shoulders
that know our faults, swept together
like catkins on a thawing stream.

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Daniel Thomas’s third book, River of Light, is forthcoming from Shanti Arts. His previous books are Leaving the Base Camp at Dawn and Deep Pockets. He has published poems in many journals, including Southern Poetry Review, Nimrod, Poetry Ireland Review, Amethyst Review, Still Point Arts Quarterly, Vita Poetica, Atlanta Review, and others. More info at danielthomaspoetry.com