this sun peppers you with sweat
sweltering pungent tastes of you
shade my eyes open my pores
a dip in the pool of memory
leaves me hot inside
orbs descend slowly
forsaking their curves in radiance

deck chairs in cool corners
where we investigate
i've been on the case from noon
through twilight while you dry
into chill as i infiltrate
waiting for a damp confession of truth
speak to my fingers i will release
you to your loved one

*

once more daylight aroused
elaborate burns on skin evidence
in folds in awkward penetrations
more cryptic than mine
i'll make light of your pain one day soon
me the good-natured fellow
strip of red where shorts and shirt reveal you
and where your hair lifted from your neck
no longer hides a place i didn't protect

deck chairs in cool corners
relax our words swimming away
from that hot pool of memory
i laugh as you squirm in wakefulness
titter when i'm touched
by your twilight hand
harden while drifting
mount you as you sleep

*

today the sun still makes our water glow
even though tepid air moves through
as a careless memory of chill
so dramatic you think it can't be real
and so regain your poise
near the water you kneel in silent prayer
and gesture for me to know
i call forth in my own words

deck chairs in cool corners
closer together someone has placed them
closer together memories pooled
in shared sighs laughter comes
from considering
where would i want to be
other than here yesterday
i kissed you underwater
today you touched yourself on fire

*

later we make our own half-light
would i need to see or show you
when i could touch and taste you and you me
when that half-light smoothes us
defining something new
i slip back into it as it happens
a pool of memory already as it happens
my skin pleads to have you leave with me
into our bodies' wriggling
and through to tomorrow

the seasons and days and hours drift through the night
through each moment light is new it holds all of it
teaching me how to hold you