A year ago today

The softness of dark eyes surrendered
To the great predator bird
The gaze of Hunter-Hawk-Amber
Devouring
Shame and caution
In a pyre of living flames
Licking me
Tempering me
Stripping me
Bare
Of the sadness of a waiting
Even time could not keep.

It was a year ago today

The dormant heart
Swelling
Awoke
Engorging with blood
Pulled from frosty fingers
They seeking warmth
Elsewhere
Shared heat
From the softest skin
In shadow hidden
between raven curl
And listening ear.

A year ago today

When I knelt at your feet
Cheeks wet for the first time
In many years
And many hurts
And tilted back my head
Offering to you
In blissful shamelessness
The view
Of how Happiness
The Vanquisher
Pushed Sadness out
In great warm salty droplets
In the storming
Of Longing’s Temple.

It was a year ago

Today
On that first day
That I did not meet you

No, love,

I recognized you.