I saw you walking away from the sun
in stinging wind and a coat of dust
through star juniper and bitter sagebrush.
We watched the sun spider for hours
splayed out on the concrete wall
like an ancient relic unearthed—
an Alexandrian myth.
We laughed at the thought of death.
How does it bite?
I knew your laughter was deceptive;
something hidden, aromatic and bold,
a breathless groan uttered
by the old
obscuring sadness.
I still looked away
and you were gone