we have no time to gaze past the stars
we fear being caught in the evolution of earth’s endless spiraling, should we
wander towards the horizon’s pale hued illuminations
our eyes are fixed in prayer to honor our ancestor’s who believed in moonlight’s
flow — we are fireflies, buoyant, floating in the mists of memory, caught in the
space between the rich loam and the dark rain clouds,
our life devoted to taming solitude

perchance you dream of my strong arms when your sleep-tussled head is poised
on the pillow and your breath grows deep — are you not mistress of your desires?
sensual companionship is our survival after long days in the fields, do you not
ponder the passing shadows to measure the echo of time?
love, this noble sentiment, must not be an absent player in your heart, do not turn
away from its arousal… as night engulfs you, embrace the power of a tree, sing
lullabies with the nightingale for we cannot always fly along their invisible
pathways, their twittering will guide us home

                   before morning
                   touch the essence
                   marvelous, wishful

a thousand times I have imagined your portrait in the morning mirror
and vow to answer your silent calls, learn to mentor, cherish and caress
slowly our revolving dance will unite along the same elliptical path
we will become our own universe, with moons and suns to light our theatre of life…
year after year it will grow brighter and brighter, incandescent as love centers us in
its eternity

                   I too have dreamed
                   thrown pennies into wishing wells
                   filled with hope

it is not yet time for death to lower her silky blanket over our lives,
our songs must ring out against her grasp like a lark’s egg cracking open in the
early spring light,
the sun’s rays toast our souls as trees grow into forests and rivers fill lakes
we have prayed for this life to honor those before us

yet if you fear her cold embrace, I will entrust myself with your life
warm the chill of your hand, listen to your heartbeat with admiration for I will always
be the giver and holder of secrets — your soul mate
I have grown into the mightiest of islands to house your fears
I will not allow you to die in desolation

                   we hover today
                   death cannot touch this love
                   it is the sunrise


a promise
[2012.18.4…b]
A Haibun, For JulesPaige