Tender

You appear as if never here before
warmth of presence linger where
feet stood face to face to sink in
the harsh, the rain, the wind that trailed us here

We invoke the versions of us from before
never too far though wish they were
close enough to singe a hug
to thank the used to be, for the us to be

Lifted up as if end of all things
hovering with life full of here and now, to live
to blow a kiss towards our shadows past,
foreshadowing light under our tremors

of wings that carried us though injured
of feathers that kept us though plucked
of a chest that pumped love though ached
of existence, so mending and strong

We invoke the versions of us from before
never too close though wish they were
far enough to miss when gone
to thank the used to be,
with tenderness we tender
for the us to be.

---

image is based on an original by Shane Le, here.