for Dr. Bonnie Baxter 

first breathers, imperiled neighbors—
you rise from the shallows in ancient forms

a diversity of architects
building layer upon layer of life.

metabolizers of light—

behold your living edge
you nurture brine shrimp and brine flies
who fill grebes and stilts,

phalaropes, avocets, and cliff swallows

you sing through the wing bones of seagulls
thank you for every feathered citizen

thank you for filling the air with flight.

saline corals, great sustainers—

behold your delicate rhythms
your time-bending and slow growth

you were here before handcarts and causeways
before state parks, airports, and apps
before we began to make weather

you took centuries to form

we did not create you
may we take in the fact
that we cannot remake you
platforms of life
holy origins—

may we humble ourselves
before you as your descendants
may we find reverence
for we are latecomers
diverting your waters

if we don’t cease you will perish
may we bring water in time.

Note from the poet: Thank you to Dr. Bonnie Baxter for awakening me to the holy mystery of our microbialite ancestors. Through your clarion voice, the lake called me to be present.