and they do

if everyone who ever walked this path before
or went before us, or came after
all walked this

anyone we ever needed, all the ancestors, the progeny
anyone who ever made our life meaningful,
the person who wore the red ski cap on the bus
that led us to that poem about minds on fire,
anyone who ever needed a word shared, a poem,
a hug, anyone who ever
took something we were or created and folded it belly deep into themselves

if all of them walked with us now
(and they do)
if all of them walked with us now
we would know this path is never lonely
(sometimes even crowded)
and often crowded

if all of them walked with us now
(and they do)
we would never feel lost
never be alone

if all of them walked with us now
(and we do)

Marna 2008 from We-Moon 2010