The long hall
stretches as far
behind as forward

Dim, dry, dust
rattles across the tiles
dust of love, dust of bones, dust of deeds

I see you there, so far away
in the bright reflected off sand and stone
I hear your voice, echoing across the desert

And remember, a sunny day
hot and full of jonquils, not so long
ago, when we were near to one another

Your hand at my waist, walking
Your arms wrapped around my arms
wrapped around you, face nuzzling your beard

And ache ache ache for that day
and its distance forward or backwards
when we were, simply, two people in love, together





jjl
29 March 2008