Her
voice
came from
afar
a distant
echo
nicknaming
me
as we
were when
young
forty-two
years
gone
this echo
came
from a
distant
planet
through years
of debris
lifetimes
separate
us
she
tucked away
like a
cameo
and I
an
adventure
book
you are
someone
she said
and
she
she was
the
dream
Love
comes
as the
wind
silent
and
moving
it
comes
as the
wildfire
burning
and
consuming
it
comes
as the
stars
twinkling
and
calm
it
comes
as the
sleepy
naps
it
comes
as the
small
giggles
of
tickles
it
comes
as the
sunrise
fresh
and
bright
it
comes
as the
halo
of
your
hair
burgundy
and cherry
it
comes
as the
moon
full
and
round
and
curious
love
comes
as the
tide
washing
ashore
and
retreating
love
comes
I search
a darkened
room
for
the other
half
of my
heart
I hear
it
knocking
behind
walls
of flesh
my heartbeat
keeping
time
like
the tides
hidden
I draw
my palms
across
the plains
of torsos
across
mountaineous
chests and
waterfalls
of stomachs
pulsing
growing
louder
I
reach
but
never
find
the heart
that
beats
as
mine
My heart
is moored
in Charlotte
and cramps
like overworked
calves
stuck
in a place
thousands
and thousands
and thousands
of miles
away
no closer
than
the moon
surely
it beats
but only
by half
the other
half
beats
where he
is or
they
are
a metronome
at half
speed
longing
replaces
breath
squeezing
my chest
like a heavy
rock
tears roll
down
like opaque
avalanches
wetting
old
yellowed
photographs
of sunny
days
when we
smiled
and danced
in
moonlight
Teach me
how to spy
on you
with just
the corner
of one
eye
Teach me
how to whisper
in a way
only you
will hear
Teach me
to speak
in humid
growls
Teach me
to explore
the ridges
of your flanks
the pools
of your
clavicle
the piano
keys
of your chest
Teach me
to know
you
like I
know
the moon
and stars
Teach me
like I’m
a failing
pupil
tutor
me
