upon returning

my eyes close
i listen to the river
the gentle flow
of words washing
over this litany of sin
this assignation
this waving branches
and falling of petals
i feel familiar

faint tremors

catch the glow
the hour’s warning
as I hold you most close
sacrosanct 

dear

your heart beating
softly against me
little waves of occasion
tightly pressed minutes
expanding into days
perdition smolders
the flames grow weary
the chase
the fortune of
having loved many
the blessing of
loving one