lights in the vines
light in hanging jars
lights crisscrossing the cracked patio dance floor
night settling over soft blankets spread on the lawn
this world
what we have
and each other with lights in our eyes
lay our souls on the grass
share our souls at the tables and all about the house

it is July and we are free
these stones
river stones
smooth oval stones
are whispers beneath us like prayers we silently share
continually praying the tears of saints
joy and sorrow and rivers

it is July and you
tender
sleepy joy
swim in the last twilight
Venus and Mars in a moonless quiet sky
and I alone at the gate
pausing at the horizon on my way to you

-July 1999/2007