AN EARLY VALENTINE...

-

The mustiness that belonged to summer nights

has retreated a little

and now clear nights, gas lamps, cool air

and sounds of chirping crickets

in the far off way

carry on amongst themselves

about who stole the sugar from the nest.

-

Like the seasons passing

the sifting sands of time

whose winds now recreate

these age-old shapes

along the dunes

they seem to speak of ancient eyes

near pyramids of old

and wondering

if

perhaps a thousand years ago

we shared these quiet, soft kisses

atop some desert ridge

while the setting sun reminisced

in the pink light that today

is you.

-

from the book, "No Artificial Flowers During the Mowing Season",

Copyright (c) 2009 by Michael Manning.

Returning to Print:, 2010.