of choices
long forsaken
to the wilderness of age –
and the chance to know again
was almost gone

when in the still
of wanting –
a time I found my way
and leaned into eternities
with you

unnoticed complication
to dwell on
might have beens –
had stars been lined
along another blue

had waters
risen higher than
the mark beneath my stone
or weighted more than wishes
to my skies

dreamers swear
to know me well
of words that fall so easy
spreading in their wake
my mystery

years
of almost silent
tears I never cried
tho rarely now –
I speak of you aloud

just the same
as somewhere else
I let my passions loose –
a place already gathered
to my soul

verses float
the smokey gale
dragons roost the cedars
words denied
are coming round
again

. . .