December-decorated evening,

Streets that revel in the gaudy.

Beyond, a sacred orchid-sunset

Slips into the horizon’s envelope,

And a tale of winternight begins.

Why ever should thoughts of you inspire me,

Long-ago lover, episode laid

To rest by divergent natures and

Directions? My memories tilt,

As though I’m in flight, perspective askew:

Bedeviling darkheart blond,

You, playmate who loved me tropically,

Grasped my greenish heart and left

A wounded clearing, where now remains

An empty lot. Despite the ruined joy,

Lad lost to me, and now a stranger

Having morphed into full manhood,

Why ever should you now inspire?

 

 

“Long-Ago Lover” was published in January, 2013, on Planet Thrive, a social networking site for Environmental Illness.