We sat

across

each

other

a fire

between

us

ignited

by

a sideway

glance

a wink

crooked

smile

it warmed

us ignited

us

bathed

bodies

in hues

of amber

henna

and charcoal

it grew

this flame

then

ebbed

to ash

crickets

and

slumber

There

we stood

inches together

feet apart

drawn

together

by

strings

tightening

arms

draped

like sheers

in opened

windows

floating

like mantles

sitting

foot

in

hand

toes

covered

by soft

hair brush

bristles

across

you

a pier

on one

end me

another

legs spanning

the arc

of

our

bridge

bodies

inches together

feet apart

tucked away

on a dusty

shelf

unable

to check you

out

or take you

home

I

sat

at a table

and

read

you

understood

you

spent

hours

with

you

learned from you

now

done

back to the shelf

you

go

reserved

There we

stood

train

platform

one-way ticket

in your

hand

looking at

feet

afraid of

looking at

the

other

two

words

kept

choking

in our

throats

saying

nothing

you

climbed

aboard

gone

And so

we stood

side

by

side

selecting

the

last

few

flat

oval

smooth

skipping

stones

from

the

once

rich

treasure

trove

of

our

relationship

first you

then me

we

threw them

side-armed

watching

them

dance across languid water

at last

diving

headlong beneath

first you

then me