the last rain of the year

i wake to the last rain of the year
pushing down on us from above
it’s an even pressure
no favor shown to the rich
or the beautiful
we are all held by its constancy

across the city, you dream
liquid music sets the scene
a backdrop we share
as the future looms

and tonight we’ll kiss
as the old washes away
it will be a moment
the same as any other
time moves forward
like the rain falls down
with no regard
for those caught in its current

i’m grateful for the rhythm
for trusting that the next second
will arrive just as this one departs
i’m grateful for your touch
for trusting that your skin
will welcome mine
even after this embrace has passed

hold my heart to yours
but loosen your grip on time
watch it slip through your fingers
hear it mark its tempo
see it fall from the gray unknown
and believe we will stand its test

grief

six haikus on grief

your quiet sorrow
wakes me from the winter night
to sit by your side

a drink to warm you
a friend to hear every word
my arms to rest in

kiss the pain goodbye
watch it board the westbound train
are you lonely now?

these are the phantoms
fingers around our ankles
demons rising up

offer up your skin
a sacrifice to the grief
but keep your heart close

i will cry your tears
let your agony scar me
together, we mourn

a toast to our sins

the waking light
paints folds in the linen
curtains, intended to keep out the day
but he meanders easily through
asks us to return to life
somewhere between here
and there
is a better reality
one where gentleness
can’t expire
where my hand never leaves yours

my waking thoughts
gather all our choices in the pool
water, there for the birds to bathe
but they drink instead
swallow the past down
one gulp
at a time
a toast to our sins
to our forgiveness
to every fork in every road

every sunrise

the sun is slowly climbing the eastern horizon
spreading its golden light over the autumn leaves
and burning away the morning frost

i stay warm under blankets
wishing you were near
dreaming of a day
when every sunrise
is a chance to kiss you
to feel your skin
warm against mine

edge

i saw you last night
on the edge of the ocean
walking quietly

stay

the outside has come in
open doors and windows
an invitation to the cool
to the crisp early spring

this late day, golden sun
lighting up the branches
a witness to our own invitation

to know each other
truly
to be known by each other

place your hand on my heart
feel the coursing
rising, falling

you are all i want
so, i make you this promise
to hear you when you speak

come inside
stay