and am in another where my heart is held;
there our inner-selves dance and sing,
swaying in time to deeper tunes
of richer perfumes and desert sounds.
There we hold each other close,
not daring to let go
in case we turn to mirages.
The cuckoo sounds
double calling,
both here
and not here,
now heard
but unseen.
Its cry echoing in two worlds;
here and now,
yours and mine,
known and labelled,
intimate and secure -
and beyond,
where we dare not tread.
I would the touch of your finger
gentle as the spring breeze.
I would your soft breath
warm upon my cheek.
I would your lip's brush
passing like silk.
I would the day
soft fading into night
and the night
soft fading into nothing.
Senses of you
in a passing moment;
there in all but body -
tangible,
touchable,
an echo in a space
as if you have just left.
When your hair is white and your eyes have grown dim,
will you remember?
When you can no longer run and your hands have grown gnarled,
will you remember?
When all that is left is sitting and waiting,
will you remember?
And in remembering will we both live once more?