that night, i knew

do you
remember

that
young
summer
evening

we sat
child like
on your
back porch

chicago dusk
settling
like charcoal
over our heads

while the
basil
you had just
planted
bloomed
earthy sweet

and me
small
blanket wrapped
tea drinker

knees pulled
close
to heart

looking to
the heavens
while jazz
syncopated
skyward

and you
slippered
nodding soft
contentment

there were no stars
because
light pollution
ate them but

apartment
windows
winked
gold

and the night
held us
sweetly enough
we did not
mind

i was so
happy

do you remember?

you were
happy too
i think

when
my hand
searched
for yours

finding it
soft
&
safe

we faced
the silent
unknown

slipping
into
black
velvet
folds

together

humming
jazz echoes
gently
into

the
silken
summer
sky

float

falling
is
never
the
same

twice

only

you
told
yourself
before

no

not

again

ever

last
time
the
wound—

deeper
than
expected

but

bandaged
with
hyssop
&
honey

healed

so
now,

catching
his eye

drops
you
gentle

stomach
falling
soft

a white
feather
flown
from

a tremendous
height

floating

carried
on
warm
lilac
wind

falling

perhaps
forever

or
at
least
until

rain
clouds
break
overhead

of the nomadic persuasion

the dusky
east wind
whispers
gypsy desires
blooming
lilac sweet
on my skin
while
blushing eyes
raise to meet
this long lost
lover
his promises
sharp on
my tongue
taste of
cinnamon
desert dust
forgotten trysts

sand running
soft and hot
through my fingers
his caress on my
cheek
constant
persistent

i must have
nomad
in my veins:
sunsets never
daring
enough
grass never
greener

the night sets

still
i am
far from
happy
still
i am
far from
home