story holds
the best of me –
days before you came
counting every
mercy
as goodbye

ferry me
some distance –
had I known you
from the start
years
to shape wonder
into light

touch where
morning lingers
as warmth against
my skin –
let this pleading heart
be satisfied

when age
is counted backward
words beneath
my pen
let me ease
my story
with your sigh

. . .