Love

my better judgement
failing me once again for
momentary bliss
–
late summer-
the prayers
of the mantis

ashes of the past
the land stoic and patient
awaiting rebirth
–
robins gather-
the old gardener
tends to his seedlings

you’re my cinnamon
my sugar, salt, my pepper
the spice in my life
–
open windows-
a cool breeze
tousles your hair

the wind whips and snarls
down across the galleries
with malice at heart
–
whispering pines-
deep in conversation
with the trees

one final look back
collar turned up against the
horizontal rain
–
spring peepers-
the rain of snare drums
on the forest floor

reaching for you as
just beyond my memory
you slip from my grasp
–
withered leaves-
parched soil runs
between my fingers

freshly turned earth falls
from the back of my shovel
burying the light
–
overcast skies-
a tenuous flame
turns to smoke

my head on your thigh
searching for divinity
in a sunflower
–
crimson booms
stain the pallid
melting snow

you are my center-
the sky above my head and
ground beneath my feet
–
autumn leaves-
take from me the
very air I breathe

melting chips of ice
droplets chase my finger down
the small of your back
–
a distant tor-
morning dew bends
the desert grass