Two Lovers Lie on Sand

One cloud’s shadow

two lovers lie on sand,

naked to the darkness

that cuts between them

Passion was a smiling ray

of yesterday’s light

against which they wore protection

Enter now a character to fit a name

 – John was a solid one,  

Jack more relaxed,

   Dylan, lord of the sea –

and the salted spray of wind-borne words

– Mary, bland,

Maureen, ethnic,

Martha, lost between her times

    and thus her sheets –

How do you do? – What was your name?

no, wait... your name escapes me

I do not see you

though I wish I might have

for feelings lost are still remembered

Dress again,

wrap yourself in cloaks

to guard against the chill of being known

as if shame was a gift

to be congratulated for

“I am a lovely man,” he said to himself,

rolling over and mumbling,

“Don’t you know me?”

I see a far-off sail

still bathed by the sun

and kissed by wind

“May its lure

never fail me,”

she thought

Was this sand or water?

the sheets were cool,

the distances, spent

 “Love me,”

cooed the wind,

“love me.”

   and then it was gone...

he rolled back over

and kissed her cheek

She smiled,

hugged

and squeezed.