Near

Love comes nearer
as you get older
until you’re nearer
to what is bolder
face to face

the thread streams
rivers oceans
too much to say

in a whirl twirl
around the fingers
encircled sitting
lying next
flesh, as is our nature
quiet, as is our sound.
Round, as is our fitting
each to each
on common ground
from floor to couch
from hand to hand
back to front
woman, man
just lying holding
in the time
it takes to sing
each other’s rhyme
in spite of everything
that goes on out there
killing care
& the chaos war
stars fix
through the ceiling
our transfixed
love of feeling
we are free
to be ourselves
this shortened time
relaxes all
that comes before
and everywhere
the go between
your flesh, my hand
it simply stays
something stirs
all the time
that is near
yours & mine.


/for L 10Apr1994