dusk settles into the dark of night. it’s that time of day when sounds are amplified; take away my sight and i’ll hear all the night creatures stirring. i still feel the last of the sun’s warmth on my skin. i wrap tighter in your thick flannel and stretch my legs out on the porch. closing my eyes and leaning my head against the oak post i realize there are only a few more moments left in this day. i feel the swell around my heart and push it aside. i will have them, they belong to me. they belong to you and i.
the river flows strong and forceful, convincing branches of the willow tree to go along for the ride. i could float down that river with you. into time through the night into dawn; another dawn with you, another day when the first thing i see is your skin. there in the grey light of morning, floating above a bed of chemical equations and sensations beyond reason.
but reason is what keeps me here, rooted like this tree. keeps me here, dangling my feet over the edge of the porch and holding the cup of tea, my fingers warm around the cup. as the world turns into charcoal and soft grains of darkness drown my vision, i concentrate on you leaning with your back to me. i reach out my hand and find yours and our pulse flows on in time. it is free.