Wildflowers and You

let's take a walk you and me, through these wildflowers
bronzed in the setting sun, your smile- you make certain
it'll get me lost so you can keep me here. in this sanctuary
built from your cascading barrier of wanting and leaving; take
me prisoner. because only when I am trapped in your
embrace can you see the love in my eyes; I want you to want to stay.
destinations, implications, interactions, hidden meanings
swirl through my mind, travel through my soul,
out my fingertips and into yours, as the sway in your hips causes
your palm to slightly brush mine as we amble through these
forested trees. sunlight squeezes though towering branches
and warms your downy-soft cheek, or is it my hand as I lightly
splay my fingers across your jaw. suddenly, you are gone, and
as I search this landscape caught in the misty twilight,
shadows play hide-and-seek and for a moment I've lost you.
finding refuge at the rivers edge, I sit cross-legged on this willow-
weeping for just as you placed the knowledge and beauty
of a contented life within my reach you vanished.
lazy stars slowly show their faces, their wonder and awe lost on me
as I contemplate this hazy day. off in the distance I hear laughter,
see chimney's hugging brightly lit homes and thick smoke curling its way
into the sky; only the wind can decide if it shall meet the moon tonight.
from this I can only believe you are happy, for your madness
mistaken for assurance tricks me into tricking my own heart.
I press my palm against my chest; the one, two, three, four pounding
soothes my soul. for I am alive, more alive than the cresting waves
that envelope my toes, but only half as lucky, for they leave to return
but you, you are forever gone. the wind whispers cold against my neck
and as much as I hate to leave this dream-state; I know I must go on.
through the forest I emerge anew, knowing that ground and
water and sky are the same as life and love and heartache;
continually circling. it is time for me to find my way. I travel through
the riverbanks full of blue wildflowers, scattering petals for I envy
their joyful faces. then I see shadows, you. further down the river
but if I stretch my arm I just might reach. taking your hand in
mine, I only grasp your palm because I have to; you are my shelter
as much as the skin on my back that keeps me warm and sane.
your power is intoxicating but you already know that. I know nothing
but to follow, leaving wildflowers squashed in the sunlight.
as the day dips into the horizon, you lead me through the trees,
the light so vivid I lose you; thought I lost you all over again but
in an instant your footfalls across the forest floor meets my ears. I open
my eyes, convinced this vicious circle has played me a fool once again,
but instead I see you. your hand is open in front of you,
reaching out toward mine and you are smiling.