davidtgay.com

the tunnel

by David T. Gay

the tunnel

and when I awake I can barely remember seeing you

bike through the ribbed tunnel that late spring day

that early afternoon, a mouthful of Zin apiece

full of Sunday flowers, lemon and violet

bristle cones, oaks, blackberry brambles

the black river through the thicket

the pasture where a white horse stood

and back in the pillow I sink till my eyes

close around the cream smoothed on your shoulders

the curl of your shorts round your thighs

the scar on your calf a map to where I want you

left hem hiked a nail’s breadth above the right

your breath a gasp as new thoughts bubble

burst and ring, redraw the spring with renewed resonance

and within me I feel your sparks catch

on what draws you here, my tender, healing soul

my much-mocked skull, my writing pen engaged

to slice a hole in this dream, to reach you, woman

to hold your hand, to hear your cycle

zoom past butterweed, to inhale lavender

to widen the crack you make in my shell

and in autumn I may have you, twirled like caramel

apples, brown fritter lumps, cherry strudel al a mode

along river, bay, or ocean, in Hawaii

why it all makes sense suddenly

but I hate this sentence of passion drained by acquiescent placidity

this wait as precipitant time inevitably drips down

the port-a-potty of lost opportunity

oh I know the winter will be worth it

I’ve laid up stores of gold and chocolate in the Sierras

in the Desolation Wilderness

and I’ll show you when comes the snow how we’ll set a blaze

but now we have spring’s leap to summer

and today my fingers need to bind your life like stiches

and tonight my hands should trace your lips to nourish you

I know you’re caught, I know you’d rather

a spring, a summer, were seasons of choice

not fated moments malingering in the arms of a broken god

so I wait in my bed and relive the vestige of your laughter

the frame of your hair, your visored cap

the stars on your ears, your fearless purpose

in that song you sing, in that song you sing with me

and this is just how you are: beautiful as a dream

the moment you awake, svelte and musical

open, naked as a warm day in May

a shiver of joy in the arms of one who loves you

a snuggle-child drawn up to your breast

asleep in my arms, my breath, your breath, your life

summoned by my adhan, God is great, God is great, God is great, rejoice