originally published 2010
Escaping to the nearby lake the lovers drove their cars
Through winding road to waters edge they broke the
Mid week silence with vigorous impatient slams of
Their respective car doors stepping quickly to the
Days first embrace like summer campers on break
Trees hugged the shore leaning in towards the coolness
Like summer boys whose fathers hold by swim trunks' waist
And lean in towards a dive, the trees were even hot today
Summer sweat trickling tickling heated flesh and cheek
Work clothes shed and freedom fed to water both ran
Swimming out just far enough where toes feel cool
While chest and arms stay warm from sun heated surface
Paddling floating cool embrace each head swaying
With vigorous intent to stay afloat a kiss wet and damp
and giggles and laughs reverberating against the watching pines
All to them the natural solitude a gift for both to unwrap
Like their arms unraveled to the toil of swim towards shore
And a fluffy blanket spread across soft sand to meet their
Drenched bodies intertwined in blessed scent of longing
A rangers eye perhaps to voyeur intimate embrace
And always quick as if each moment is something stolen
The trees turn towards the water again and expand to offer
Their shade and privacy, protecting what they've watched
For so long so many these bipeds who play among their
Branches rising to meet the fiery sun now falling
And so ignitions turning cars quickly rolling off to meet
The expectations of the remaining day and leaving the
Trees to coyly wonder if they had limbs so brisk
Would they be free to test the taste of loins turning
But first a dip into the depth a branch falls and splashes
