when they said you were beautiful they meant
cool as a jadeplanet furthest from the sun
fragrant as a stain of meteor across black heaven
surprised as a moon that sees its own reflection
when they said you were quiet they meant
blue as an iceplant where true dark begins
unwavering as krishna-song on a yellow orchid leaf
transparent as a smile between lovers at daybreak
you spin on an axis of instinct, molluscs and crustaceans
breach the surface of your great green ocean
after bathing you braid your hair loosely
and set it out to dry on mars without thinking
you have begun to float magnolia petals
across my periodic table of elements
i am an explorer on planet you
i am a ranch hand on your belt of asteroids
when they said you were the future
they meant white paper sharks in neptune's sand
they meant a clock with roman numerals
they meant a silver coin on the broiling face of mercury
they meant fresh straw for the nuzzling moonponies of jupiter

�2007 by George Wallace