Emily danced

Emily danced on the limestone
wall.


'Twas '71.  Her dress long soft
and flowered,
her eyes nowhere but
on him.
Afternoon Lexington
sun.
Soft bricks on old.


Walls.


A cynic, he.
Current deep of kindness
but for years smothered
by sarcasm
and fear.


Later, he said:
You'll have to be strong.


Later, later, he said:
Why can't you be fun like her,
as the boy lay leaving.


Emily danced.
Away.

Toes known

simmering at sixty
sweat on summer's morn
lips low
shouldered
dive
into
the wash
of
the deep creek's bend.

At river's bottom

more private here,
the world can see
yet
you need not.


memories pouring out
of touch
sorrow
run~away me.


a small screened place
on the Maury
tubing
tumbling
never worrying.
kisses/rumpled sheets/dream clouds.

I wanted north
and more. 
You wanted west.
I went.
And cried the night of the first game.
Years later I know you couldn't understand
different we are
we tried.


'Tis not a game.
Our skin surface damp, breath lost, as
summer
shimmers
and the fall awaits.