a single drop of rain

a single drop of rain
holds time against the window sill
the rhythm comforts me

like your scent
as you float by me at the counter
moving from task to task

like the storm blowing through
fiercely drenching the city streets
then on to the next town

like friends from the past
who see you for just a moment
then find new faces

the drop slows
you place your hand on my shoulder
“come sit with me?”

the rhythm stops
we have nowhere to be
but together

hummingbird

twisted colors bound by runways, lit
but we are dark
cast in the shadow of a century’s momentum

if you see my hopes escaping
my dreams rising
rest your beak in their gentle flesh

we can never stop
moving
disappearing
between the iris click

capture what you can

imperfection

i dreamt of your skin
detailed by the dawn
and woke to find
your every imperfection
there for me to savor

scene from the holler

the clouds came early
following the crick
from the mountain’s flat top
down to the church

vibrant greens of the holler
fading under all that humidity
layers of lives
hidden in the trees

there are secrets
waiting to be told
moments we won’t recall
songs we’ll never sing

tonight, the wild flowers
lit by the hazy moon
sway softly
but we can’t feel the breeze

each breath is heavy
wet branches surround
holding us so quiet
while the lightening bugs dance

drive

   i will
     follow the curve 
      your spine
       a midnight drive
       the rumble 
       our racing hearts
      your breath
     the back hills
    rising
   i will
  give you space 
 but only
the vast kind
keep your body
 close to mine
    in the deep
        night

rooted

filter the crisp creek
water through your toes
who’s life adds rings to trees
climbs their fibers
sees the world from their spires

allow the stream to climb you, too
raise your arms
in the quiet morning forest
stand tall
still, except to bend with the wind

your hands can catch the sun
as well as any leaves

but remember not to crush
the life that light brings
remember to trust its flow
these waves
from ages past
that have leapt from star to star
and journeyed to you
offering a touch of warmth
a moment to feel
rooted