In the place where I first heard your name

In the place where I first heard your name,
grows birch and evergreen;
a viney dark-edged path to walk
that circles back where it's been--

You held my hand and looked away,
your face by dark hair veiled;
when first we came and first we stayed
where suns, extinguished, failed--

Your parted lips like wing from bird
soft-brushed my skin and drew
from every black-earth breath of me
a promise to love but you--

Away from the place I first heard your name,
I carry a lock like dusky night;
to wonder at plenitude of thorns
and such rarity of light.
______