I tend this body as I have always done,
glide the foaming soap,
scent of sweet coconut perfected
to rinse the earthiness and tang of day.

I hate these transparent doors,
hard cell, all tile and chrome;
miss the claw foot tub, candle flickering
on the ledge by the bath.

The mirror leers. I bend over to towel off.
Betrayal of skin, an overripe orange peel,
not cheeky, adorable dimples.
I turn and close my eyes.

No palms flutter above the yard.
I smooth on coconut lotion,
turn and close my eyes,
know I am the beach.
                        

The dusk is still until we listen well,
as sunset beckons creatures to emerge
that leap and slither, creep onto the fell;
the calm belied as red and black converge.

As sunset beckons creatures to emerge
while evening pulls the light, and our unease,
the calm belied as red and black converge,
we fight to bring our fears onto their knees.

While evening pulls the light, and our unease
for what we cannot see tugs at the spine,
we fight to bring our fears onto their knees
by facing dread, emotion falls in line.

For what we cannot see tugs at the spine,
to straighten thinking we release the spell.
By facing dread, emotion falls in line.
The dusk is still until we listen well.
                        

These banks that held
a leaning oak
where from long ago
a braided rope was hung-
when we let go
we were the sky.

The water closed
us into its chilled fist,
then popped us like corks
among the bubbles
to everlasting delight.

We pass by, memory
refreshed by skeletal arms
of the tree reaching up
from its sodden bed,

the reverberation
of laughter sounding
inside our heads.