what ways
have i forgotten –
all i wanted once to be
how sweet
the smell of wonder
after rain

the almost was
is folded
to places i am one
recalled to love
by echoes of
my name

held within
a stolen breath
as promise without place
another time –
yet still
the heart retains

a moment unforgotten
of all i knew
to be
an essence
left by longing –
a memory of flame

. . .