he saved for her the sunset
he’d been painting
(all his life)
as crimson bled to orange
purple green –
a lover’s rite
reflections of the day
he found her standing
near the shore

held her (without speaking)
brushed a dress
of finest oil
silken sable gold
steady made her curls
to steal his pride
she came to him
each night as was created
other worlds –
beneath the canvas
(life beyond this one)

he heard the shutters heave
the rafters roar
calmed again the artist’s storm
he found the solace (her)
meadow green
with silver shoes
and palest pink (her stutter)

took his breath
and held him close
in pools of cocoa bean

he knew her
every (blush of) imperfection
had painted her in places
(always new)
this world of his
much larger now –
twilight dreams confessing
oil come to life in midnight hues

where sunset fell
in shadows (she is waiting)
evermore –
brushed against his memory
sapphire blue