River Night

On the edge of the horizon, a
yellow-red ball of sun
plunges into strawberry syrup........
A chiseled willow in evening's first light will
bend lower, beneath us........


Honey thick with summer's flowering notes
darkens and stretches at dusk........
Love flows rapid as breath,
and we are only clothed........


The moon trails fog behind her
and vanishes wholly into the sky........
Why do we need it?........ Young wine
wanders by the river, growing seasoned........


The night breeze will thin the milk,
will mint its way through the body
and playfully tousle the tangled braids
on herbs warmed and wrinkled........


Grabbing cotton clothes carelessly,
they hang half-caught on branches........
The wines float now, far from the ground,
then they will find their labels........