Arrival

Arrival


No more
the bloom of vibrant youth
colours my cheek,
nor does urgency
flow forth
from limbs
no longer
supple

as once they were.

Yet-
surely
my stride 
never streamed with such joy
and anticipation
as it does now

when my legs hurry me to meet you?

Did I ever once listen
so intently
to a lovers' conversation
as I do now
to the timbre of your voice?

I think
it has been through grace
and accidental turnings
that I have learnt you,
and you have become
an unguent for these bones.

Time
has been our friend
and I find we are each
pulled
by the others gravity-

A touch tells me

your skin
is knit like mine

The conversations we have
run through my head,
and all I want to do
is place my hand on your thigh,

and hear you breathe

Then later -
lay with you,
curled
as a palm frond, 

within this time
that is ours.

.