VI. The Lovers

I saw a flower bloom in a garden lit by the light of day
And the impending doom and monsters ceased to bother me
Into that garden I would come and spend my nights away,
Back in the rose-colored days of childhood. Now follow me—
I’ll show you garden and the flower preserved in memory

If you could trace my steps
Past all the old regrets
And the distractions of the flesh
Then we would kneel before each other
Soul lost in one another
And found
The flower blooms afresh

And should we even care if it’s a rose, peony, or daffodil
Or strangely captivating lily-of-the-valley
They all could bloom upon this hill
Watered by the sacred challis
All flowers but forget-me-not
How could I?

There was a sparkle in your eyes that looked familiar—where’s it gone?
Or maybe I’m too shy and cannot hold your gaze long enough to see
The winds that sweep through darkened trees and dream in feathers of a swan
Where eagle soars and lion roars in grass surrounding endless sea
That we are longing of. Did I see you in me?

If you could lead the way
From bitter yesterday
Into tomorrow
Full of yearning
I would follow

Then we would kneel before each other
Soul lost in one another
And found
The clock is turning

And with every tick and tock
Our emotions run amok
For the flower was planted by you
And the challis was crafted by me
And the winds were our half-mouthed goodbyes
Said on the deathbed, on the birthbed

January 8, 2023