A Dance

Near Distances

To my friend Amal

Who said the rays have wings on which they soar in stillness, and the butterflies a flight toward the light without us!!?...

Who said we cannot make the beauties imitate us, a rainbow??

The echoing back of a dawn flowing over our lips — this water — and pictures of a spacious tomorrow racing headlong in our eyes...

Who, I wonder, moves us now: the playing of instruments, or the beating of two hearts?

Give me your left hand for my right. How weariness has bowed my head — my hand upon the strong shoulder...

I mind more than I should these beetles around us, staring at us awkwardly. Ugh, how vexing they are!!...

No one has taught them, my love, that our dancing is tenderness and love...