II.

Where’ve you gone, my

darling love? She cried.

You’ve disappeared.

–

I can’t hear the soft rising and falling 

of your chest in the night, 

or taste the bite

of your fingers 

clamped sweetly 

around my own. 

And it’s not until I close

my eyes shut

that your face appears to me.

–

[the gate shifts on its hinges,

lavender stalks shrug and bend]

–

I’m still here. 

I’m still here with you. 

–

But where? In this between-ness,

in this mire – I’m frightened. 

–

I’m frightened too, 

but the sky 

and mother sun 

will hold us both in 

our short shared infinity.  

–

[consideration]

–

Thank you,

for saying that. 

–

Spreading Fire