I do not remember you as frost
Or as winter or as leafless trees.
If nothing else, you were an echo
Of light in the darkness
Too hot to touch, but still I was there
Reaching out to you, my hands empty
My mouth dry and open and deep, dear
Fruit of the earth. I do not know how I have
Gotten here; I have awoken and you
Are not with me. I struggle for every word

For a way to describe the sunlight shooting
Through you, the tremble of the air as it
Surrounds you. Your stance wading
Into the fresh, open water. The beautiful round sea.
Your body pure and broad and gold. I am
A coward and I surrender. I give you my white
Flag, to drape over your battle worn shoulders.

Salt of the earth, spread your flesh
Across the Mediterranean water, let
Your soft belly steal the sunlight and your
Hand entwine with your other, and your
Feet root into the earth. You, music and soul,
Spread across the yawning twilight, and
I sit in the mountains, watching your peaceful
Slumber, mesmerized. Memorizing you
This way, if I could have nothing else,
As nature’s lover, if not mine.