if you start me on this journey
let me lead you
on the long path

join me only if you have time
to ride out with me
the multiple burstings
launching explosions of Clematis
cascading over and over
from the bouquets outspread high
above our forms and minds
to release millions of minute petals
exquisite in all shades of ecstasy
across a multi-colored expanse
to scatter generously to a delicate falling
into the vastness of the wells
and hollows of our earth
landing brushed against wheat staffs
remembered from summer

if you start me on this journey
be ready to ride out
again and again
steer me steady
or patiently nurse me
in my climb to the surprises of
the ecstasy of creation
born anew again and again
dewdrops moistly waiting
beading the long blades of grass
throbbing at the chemistry of
the contact

and I will attend to you with love
in harmony with your rhythm
as you attain with me the panorama of
unfathomed explorations

if you rush our long-aspired cruise of
the Alaskan coast
we may miss an inlet
or one of the fjords after fjords
tucked behind, awaiting discovery

if we leave for the briefest interlude
the crescendo of our union
we may miss the turn of the first Arctic sun
of the season after darkness
If you start me on this journey
ride with me as I witness
the kaleidoscopes of miraculous images
amid the watering of the physiology of our
sounds, scents and touches

follow the lingering of not rising
for the frigidness of
the morning beyond our duvet
yielding to only
the warm rising together

01/10/2004