sacred layers
unfeigned
without artifice
we traverse
along the edge of a sphere
which never feels round enough
yet we meet again
and
again
muddling our way
eager, then shy
fingers cup cheeks
lips whisper hello
eyes to eyes
connect
we try
until forever
which seems so far
from
now
your black shirt
swells like a winter storm
in Maine
around the turn you go
like a murmuration of starlings
beautiful beyond feeling
my weary soles
want to run
but miles are between
us now,
or are you just behind me
once more?