A Lover's Lover's Lover (2002)

What’s it like to be a lover’s lover’s
lover? The alembic heart washed
three times in this still-scalding
summer light. You painting
furniture, me mowing,
the both of us sweating hard,
hair matted, red and ripe in
this humid heat and happy.
The love we replanted a season ago
appears throughout the day now,
sure in the faithfulness of time,
hard work and more than
a little grace. We may kiss again,
my love, tomorrow or
tomorrow or tomorrow,
in wing with the
next unfolding season.
How do we love deeper?
Note how late summer light
scans the afternoon like a far
regnant, serenely and sure,
bursting sheaves of thick
honey stronger than wine.
This happiness seemed lost forever:
Now we’re threading it daily
in an embroidery of meals,
makings and music.
Our cat in the window of this,
her blue eyes round, singing
to her prey. Delve still deeper.
Saddle the tenth wave. Ride
farther into the country of love
on what this poem proves
with honey and hooves and you.