The spring air is sweet
bare feet touch concrete
and a breeze tickles
spring-loaded curls.
The newly painted porch swing
is urged faster as I urge
another story,
anything you can bring
to memory.
We watch the sun
set fire to the sky
violent reds and deep purples
warn of the imminent twilight.
We rock gently
and Mother moon makes her way
into star dotted sea,
suspended above us
breeze turns to chill
settled in my bones.
I retreat to your arms
my lips tremble confessions
but you sooth my tears with your own.
“All is forgiven, we’ll start again.”
Now I chip peeling pain
and watch angry storm clouds sail
like ships on the black sea
to smother Mother moon
those words ring clear as I tend wounds
inflicted by you.
As I try to forgive,
I wonder if you’ll remember
so you can forget.
-vns