I thought it would be larger

a small world shrouded in this embrace of two lovers. Two lovers

forgotten before the weight of eternal embrace

only here now

for all things that came before and before them, love.

In what sense? Of love made, lost

found again? More like two doves

frightened to flight, gone into gray sky only to return

the same rough bough, alight, flutter of wings in the dark green

lush canopy. You would need the weight of two

hundred doves

to hear the soft cooing remembered in morning light. It is

the impression of memory you hold

like the inside heart of a tree nestled, to embrace.

Even now

I see you there and somehow you feel new.

And the cooing comes as incantation, song we call

the presence shared here now with one another.

I say heart hear heavy. You say light wing flight.

What we cannot say is voice time gone, even as you

hold my hand, whisper into my ear

thoughts of temples, mosques, pyramids

and your warm breath floats

into everything I will call supreme lasting stone.