Between Wind and Water

With little to no effort,

laughter followed their nervous

exchange of words, interrupted inconveniently

enough to keep the mystery

that so often reveals itself overnight.

 

Under a full moon

between a triangle of Palm trees

they explored the darker corridors.

 

Wandering slowly to the park bench,

they leaned in and on one another

while eavesdropping

on the nocturnal world.

Leaving-

hand in hand, separating

at sunrise.

 

Concrete beneath wet feet,

lungs full and breath beaten shallow

she stares at the starscaped sky,

followed by a short drive home, clumsy keys

turning in brass, doors swing open, locks

tighten after, shut, hands, mouth,

kiss, he lingers his fingers against

her rose, weak kneed,

she releases thorns and becomes

slick to touch, petals open, blossom

and fall to the floor, leaving only

the scent of her behind.

 

Night alongside,

luff and touch her, she gives way.

Love is imminent and trembling

between

them, she cries out and he holds on,

restoring equilibrium between

her buoyancy and his centre of gravity,

whitecaps stifled by the wind at shore,

they tickle toes in wet sand,

walking slowly back to the asphalt

and streetlights, for a long kiss goodnight.

 

Anniversary approaches,

moon new and plenary, absolutely -

by and large, they will arrive,

full and by, a steady journey

between the wind and tide.

 

[nautical terms used through out alongside, between wind and water, fully and by, by and large, buoyancy, centre of gravity, luff and touch]

 

Reviews

[Archie Logsdon]

This writing takes me back to Venice. I used to play my guitar for change on the boardwalk in what seems like another lifetime......

[Emily B]

oh, wow!