Boat-rides

Boat-rides

I love the way he’d look at me

As though I was a pleasant surprise

Each and every time

His eyes would turn my way.

Our eyes would meet, he’d look away

Then find my gaze again.

What sublime secret

Language is this, spoken only

Between two people’s eyes and souls.

I’ve fallen for the way

He’d gently touch these

Silent undersea creatures –

The kindness and reverence

In his hands that I imagine

Could heal any hurt.

There he sits at the prow at ease,

Riding the waves of his home waters,

And speaking island song. 

I see him thus and feel unburdened.

I long for the sea salt-taste of his lips

On mine and his voice in my ear.

He has lived a short while yet, and yet

His wisdom is deep as the sea

That claims him.  I try to

Picture him in my mind and keep him

There away from the world.

But the world never stops pulling me

Back from this ocean I yearn to drown in.

I do not want to forget, but oh,

How quickly we forget

The things that never were.

Let me dive down deep

Into the memory of touch, sound, sight –

The only ocean in which

We two can meet.