Lost Loves

I sit alone

like the family

dog alone

like the last

burning candle

in a darkened

room alone

like a left

shoe absent

of the right

they’ve gone

home or stayed

home

leaving me

like discarded

mail

missing them

both of them

I now sit

quietly

with dreams

of them

remembering

their faces

and smiles

their heartache

quite unsure

how I ever arrived

here

and uncertain

if I shall ever

leave

Post

Afterward

his body
is against mine
one behind
the other
like bookends
absent of books
breathing
has slowed
after our long
run exhausted
arms
encircling torso
hands clutching
hands
in the afternoon
sun
we are bathed
in light
drying us
like baby seals
my hand
trails down
his stomach
to the damp
moist nest
we drowse
in separate dreams
not dreaming
of each other

now

in the shower
we stand
close
a small canyon
forming
between us
where the water
cascades
and tumbles
across
the boulders
of our bodies.

Juan

He arrived
at night
flying
from Charlotte
to Honolulu
When I
saw him
we fell
together
like trees
in a forest
leaning
against
each other
his arms
encircled
me
pulling me
closer
as though
he was drawing
out my breath
in each others
arms
I found
solace
and peace

We ended
up in bed
lying side
by side
as though
we were children
camping
in our backyard
hands cautiously
touched
backs and flanks
buttocks and chests
kisses
lighted
like butterflies
on lips
and eyelids
moving
toward each
other
we pressed
together
like dog eared
pages
comfortable
being together
like a letter
in an envelope

We gave each
other up to
the other
taking
and taking
the body
the soul
the love