Encounters happen

in specific time,

like our perceptions.

but they can grow with us,

fluid not fixed

as imprints.

details are literal,

and associations aren’t.

you say Saint Francis

and I think convent

curfew

near missed trains

prayer intervals

silent hikes

hills

stone

chimes.

perhaps they’ll think

sunflowers

foot traffic

visions

hands tracing octaves

changed scenery.

maybe they’ll note

changes in clothing

and located figures

in illustrations

and transformation

even late in life.

and maybe we’ll think

blessings

widened self image

permission to change

transformation

especially

early

in this life.

maybe we’ll exchange

perception

for encounter,

dreams not dreamed

alone

or from nothing.

it’s amazing what

seeds were

in the ground

wondering if we

could let them

become.