We learned to swim
in the flickering pools of each other’s eyes
desire born in quiet step and curtsy
before I ever touched you outside this dream world
you were the betroth of my sleep
we circled each other in origami folds
acquainting, never strangers, always known
as if time held us apart long enough, to generate
in the deep cry of longing, a hallowed place
where only those destined for the other
shall like painted flowers, made of paper
embrace, release and turn to ink
coloring water the stain of lacquered longing
reborn on latticed wing of desire
to breathe again in the surround of this singular girl
for you, are my pendant, hung close to my heart
you do not tarnish or fade in intensity
you are the twitch in my smile, a muscle pulling
upward each time I think of you
it is as if, with every turning day
a part of me becomes dissolved
like sugar in tea sweetens what is plain
I am able to see in you, what you no longer can
those vestiges you put away
in a box too high for reclaiming
where your silver rings and sunlit hair
lies dormant, replaced by sensible overcooked hours
I was perhaps, born to return color to your cheeks
even as it grows dark I see your
sleek head bowed in feigned peace
knowing if I were admitted into
the sanctum of your unspoken sorrow
where peach hued roses bloom fragrant
there would be a blush again
marking darkness exquisite
as the silhouette of your dusky butterfly
brands my marrow indelibly
for it is simple; two people who did not plan
falling out of the sky, meet the other
everything changes, if they leave behind fear
we are not given wings, if meant to only walk earth
you send me to heights I could not
describe before you walked into my life
claiming my tiptoeing heart
we who are dancers of dusk and dawn
whisper secrets stored so long
out into infinity and beyond
she who is diminutive and siren
hear my song
“Night after night they hang banded together, keeping silent.” – David Vogel, Jewish poet.
Coming sudden