Expelled

There are some things which words make a mess of
like yesterday's
emitting a ceremonial light cast just the right way
to make a long forgotten memory
feel new again

suddenly the sumptuous skin is right there beside you
fingers pressed lightly
on your palm
and you can barely stand to
breathe in
because once your nostrils fill with the smell
of unmasked bodies
fermented in the sun
unselfconsciously aromatic
the scent which only
one person each
can emit
you may never want to breathe out again

bitterness boils down simmers
into acceptance
eventual
thankfulness
that a picture like this
could have ever been painted
on your canvas

even now
that many of the characters
have left the scene
you are capable
of sitting comfortably in the centre of this landscape
causing an intimate affair with
your surroundings embracing
both sun ups
and sun downs

on a calm day the breeze might sneak up
caress your bare shoulder blades
and you can be assured that even after such faltering
as you look out onto the serene ebb of river
bursting forth into waterfall
supported by ancient rocks carrying
it safely back to the source

the words begin
to flow again
and in the bright white light
of this sacred memory

you find peace