Swallow in a heat wave

Was it when you were at the docks

That they handed it to you

That which made you look skyward

And saw the flashing of the satellite

Pristine turtles idle on the slippery moss

And I left the sails unfurled

Waiting for the wind to wake her up

But all in all a touch of nothing

To leave the desired mark on my heart

Wasn’t it when you were on the pier?

When they let you go

They, who so wisely saw your grace,

Or just another pretty face?

I saw so many boats at the marina

Across from the Salvador Dali’ museum

You came over, wanted to hold hands

And the forced perspective made you small

It didn’t come out right or come out at all

The stains in the mixture mixed with dye

And the colored sky turned a purple and white

No more room entered here for foot in mouth

Paintings in blossom, tulips fringed edge

I know the cloudy banks riddle us all

And question the query in our souls

The clouds cover the Earth and shadow the bay

Holding on to hope like a child sick with fever

Was this the place where you became ill?

Down by the platform bobbing on its chain

I stepped on the bus and never looked back

Concrete sidewalks pass by like years

And the solemn face left was left in tears

Was this where they found you?

Gave it back in forms of precious stones?

And led you to the grass on the other side

Deep down we know the truth

This is the place where you died

And on this Decoration Day

A carnation I lay near the head stone

I’m so sorry that I left you all alone

Now my head turns away and slowly grows smaller

Like a swallow in a heat wave, I may crash and burn

But for all my life in life I learn

The water you swallowed –

The flood came with ill repute and flashed away

I wish you hadn’t gone sailing on that day

Now then, sun, burn the land dry

And dry the cheeks on which I cry

For people live

And people die

03-29-01