she swoops and dives around him

like the first carousing swallow

chatters and sings

on loves new wings.

she trusts him.

 

circling him

like bright ribbons in maytime

she doesn’t care

where the path will take them.

 

up and on they go

cloud-high now

into the sky’s breath.

 

the path is steep and stony

but she does not see.

but he sees.

the man.

 

he’s taken her to the very edge

of the sheerest cliff he knows

but with her back to it

she has no fear.

 

he sorrows, he laments.

the man.

maybe better just to push her now

for she wouldn’t know.

she’s happy now

and he loves her so.

then to follow after.

 

but now he hears her laughter

and, of all things magical

she tells him a joke.

she tells him a joke so sweet and small

he is entranced.

 

he hugs her tightly to him,

stealing her from the hunger of the cliff edge.

and with light feet

they walk back home.

 

until the next time

he must go walking . .

　

　

　

photo by eleanor rask