To get your hands in it

to feel its texture

to smell its smell

 

to touch

to run it through your fingers

to move it around

 

to dig

to plant

to tamp it down

 

to know that you have made

a pact with it

to make a living thing

 

an ancient contract

this ritual relationship

between man and dirt

 

a miracle is waiting

life ready to emerge

from common dirt.