Afterward

Wind moves across the hillside, Grass bending without pause. Clouds pass over empty ground, Unaware of what was. Footsteps soften into soil, Edges lost to rain. Paths that once were worn and known Settle back again. After all the voices thin, After hands let go, Fields remain in quiet motion, Turning soft and slow. Rivers keep their steady line, Stone outlasts the name. Nothing calls for what has left, Nothing stays the same. Air moves through the open space, No one left to feel. Light falls where it always has, Unchanged, unreal. After all the voices thin, After hands let go, Fields remain in quiet motion, Turning soft and slow. There’s a calm in letting go, No need to return. Everything continues on Without needing to learn. No edge left to hold a shape, No line left to draw. Only space that carries on Without a single flaw. After all the voices thin, After hands let go, Fields remain in quiet motion, Turning soft and slow. After all the names are gone, After all we knew, Earth continues as it does, Without me or you.