Citizen by Chance

If I keep heaven in my heart, as my own
state of nature, I am always walking
gently on a path made by deer, the grass
over there swirled flat by their sleeping.

If I am a true citizen of the world,
our gods are many, and none. They say
some cultures are an endless stream
of gift-giving, traveling in boats

and over land to see one another in joy!
That some women love to gamble
with their ornaments and shells,
it’s all a grand game!

I know I am lucky, to live now
and in the country I was born in,
citizen by chance. If I keep heaven
in my heart, I keep the borders open.

— Babs