Communion At Water's Edge

The butterfly landed on my left arm. It felt like a small feather drawn across my arm. She finished, brushed my temple, and flew a few feet away. Seconds later she landed on my right shoulder.

Pre-dawn’s grey burden lapped at breast and knee,

As stroke on stroke I parted glassy deep,

To wash the burden-webs of sorrow free,

Where silent swells�"that voyeur�"my bare body keeps.

Then limbs grew light, as floating upon sleep,

I let the cool flood enter where heat hides,

Your fingers�"wave on wave�"caressed, discreet,

I flipped; twin peaks welcomed dawn’s crisp air, gasped, unbound.

On shore, new sun caressed my dripping skin,

When sudden grace�"a butterfly, sapphire-dipped surprise�"

Alighted, trembling, sipping lake’s sweetness in,

Where lake meets pulse�"a moment’s nectar prize.

Then wings, whisper-thin, traced my temple’s hymn�"

Hope warmed in gold; all old sorrows forever dim.