love note to michael

gaze locks and hearts open, into

an embrace soft like moss

promise me you'll listen

to yourself

promise me you'll try

blueberry kisses one spring afternoon

buds unfurl, leaves splay open

and we melt into each other

everything is receptive

everything is alive

camping under the new moon

Orion protecting our slumber

a warm puppy between us

something we devoted ourselves to

someone we could raise, in love

Appalachia holds us, rocks us,

pours blessings over us

saying, "yes, Child, this is good."

"Yes, Child - this is sweet and holy and true."