THE FIRST TIME AGAIN

The sunset has rusted the light into hues of vermillion

While foxfire streaks through the forest mountain tops,

The night is turning upon its own axis…a slow intro.

Dancing among other vacationing couples, who, like us,

Need to experience life outside city limits, I contemplate

Your upturned face, eyes closed, your mouth ready to be kissed.

The music is tender and suppliant like your body as it yields

Its direction to my lead while that lazy sax slurs its notes

Into the air imbuing the atmosphere with steamy innuendo.

I find my desire penetrating your resistance as we

Sway to the immortal jazz tunes of Charlie Parker and Dizzy G.

You…my friend, my lover, the beauty in my life, my wife.

I look at your face and see it, yet again, for the first time

Those practical lines that define your smile as you tease

Me through that silk dress and me tight in your arms.

Yet, what thrills me is the way you’ve loved me

With the wisdom found in rock formations

And the tenacity of bone to sinew…

We’ve collected many calendars together walking

Into months and new years, always in harmony,

The treble and bass sustained our tune through

The good and the bad…

Regrets? Sure, but waking to find your hand, fingers

Splayed across my chest while we sleep, I know my

Whole heart is home…

I think my life flowed through yours like an elixir

My heart knew long before I could speak you name

You moved in my blood like grace in early morning.

I look at your face and see it, yet again, for the first time

And for the first time, again… “I love you so very much”.