A JOURNEY

Mountains—upstanding mountains—

we trekked through subtropical greens, rich, gaudy,

sparking passion all the way.

Hiking ten miles non-stop, we spoke of hidden waters,

how we’d dwell beside their depths.

I left all that

as the wings banked from the subtropics

and light broke through heavy cloud. I love

that I pierce will in a glance.

What tempted once fell away with the lakes far below.

There are oceans too, opening in sunlight, tumbling, misting.

Give up, give up the air’s hot kiss

from you whose nightmares clasped at my fingers—I do.

Who falls into water clutches a withered branch—

you of the blackest sea

never once awakened, never let loose

—I do.

I left all that.

Now I love only the miles between us

—from sea to seabed, a grand phosphorescence.

Whirlpools rush within whirlpools.