backward striptease blooms
fall covers buds - empty limbs
lead me to your spring

����������������leads him to my spring
����������������in its dark reflecting pool
����������������ripples of his breath

ripples of my breath
grow hard over still water
season of fording

����������������season of fording
����������������cross a ladder of light - taste
����������������the sun's sleight of hand

the sun's sleight of hand
guides us, kindles, sparks and wanes
without our knowing

����������������without the knowing
����������������eyes of the cold hunter's moon
����������������orchards dare flower

orchard's dare flowers
over - petals drop, tingle
twined roots of skin

����������������twined roots akin
����������������hold tight alluvial soils
����������������nourish the one-tree

nourish the one-tree
through warm and barren seasons-
reach upwards, unnamed

~

ERWA Sept. '02