Afternoon – Page 36

Courtship

now all that remains-
the sweet taste of success and
your cherry lip gloss
–
fresh cut grass-
an old blanket and
poetry

waves rise up and fall
the rhythm of the ocean
moves us together
–
surfing-
the swell
of your hips

families asunder-
buzzards circling high above
the southwest desert
–
riding the smoke-
wild horses
in the distance

lying in my bed
beautiful and poisonous
twisted in the sheets
–
african sun-
death lurks
in the tall grass

all I have of you-
the crossword and a ring left
by your coffee cup
–
saplings-
rooted
in the shade

leaves swirl in the wind-
a blackbird takes his respite
on my windowsill
–
dandelion seeds-
wishes adrift
on the wind

an empty porch swing-
lazy paddle fans disturb
the hot southern air
–
the forest floor-
dragonflies still
in the thick air

looking back in time
pictures of who we once were
under cellophane
–
rich brown soil-
an old green tin
a child’s treasure

testing the waters-
I dip my toe in to check
if I’ll let you in
–
soft light-
my door
slightly ajar

two dark silhouettes
framed in the open window
sitting side by side
–
tails twitching-
warm dreams
in the sunlight