Promise

Remember when we were bold,

And we'd steer our vessel firmly,

Whispering prayer-song

As the night-pearl flexed its force.

Remember a salted spirit-forge

From tide's breath to night swells,

And currents from coral to anemone

Rushing by the chromis and tangs.

I'd pull old oars, maple stained,

Through the viscous sea

For hinted-sail of wind and music

Until our feet became thunder on the land.

We'd never avoid town or fountain light,

Leading us to old places beyond home,

With echoes of horse hooves on cobblestone

On a once-broken road, rich with story.

***

I'd call you Savage One,

Tiger's Eye, Feet Prowler,

Dark Rhythm, Lovely Shadows,

And Naked Constellation.

You'd dream as a tiger lily:

Fresh nectar, with memory in your eyes;

Your thoughts like funnel web spiders:

Weaving, crawling, creeping, spinning.

And through aroma of vineyards

And tongue-tip-taste of sweet wine,

We'd find our way back to water

Before last twilight on a sea of fire.

I kept my promise, I brought you home

To the deep celestial, for your ocean soul,

Where we tangled as heavy boat rope

And baked in the warmth of a slow-burning sky.