(For Emily, my Muse)
You really couldn’t see far down the strand,
Pleated grey curtains of spray obscured the distance.
Our universe, compressed to a unity of syncopated sighs.
We watched the heaving waves; rise and fall, come and go.
Side by side.
We fell out of rhythm, gently landing in a place without time.
A place without place, but we were there, it was real,
You told me you were safe now, and I was too.
But maybe we were in a dream of dreaming of waves?
Side by side.
Once were two swimmers, struggling among breakers,
Tossed by the upswell and billow and riptides.
When currents of chance cast them high up the beach,
On the ridge of a roller, delivered to heal.
Side by side.
The dream, in the dream of the dreamers unfolded,
Their tear-streaked bodies could dry in the sun.
Clear of the dangers, released from their struggles,
Both began merging, almost now one.
Side by side.
You really can’t see far down the future,
Pleated grey curtains of doubt obscure the distance.
Our universe, perhaps a unity of synchronized sighs,
I hope we will watch the heaving waves; rise and fall, come and go.
Side by side.
And in that calm moment, when all oceans fall tranquil,
A precious time, giving time to reflect.
We’ll find that our dream is the dream of the dreamers,
Holding a place, in the place without time, where some day we’ll wake.
Side by Side.
(28.10.23)
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