By R PECK    rpeck999@yahoo.com
Date: 3 June 1998

AUGUST/EATING APRICOT

        

It was August--and it was hot when I woke that morning.   
I could smell the sun bouncing off of dead grass and dry 
earth, echoing with the scent of flowers and leaves, and 
the gray and red bark of the trees that grew, not only 
around us, but down there in the wide river-bed that 
shimmered under still air and cold water.   I could hear 
the water making its water noise, and birds and insects 
making their flying noises, and I could hear the soft sound 
of breathing next to me as I lay there, naked, to the sky.
Mixed with all of this was the heady perfume of perspiration 
rising from the body of a man.  A young man.

I opened my eyes to deep, deep blue, and rolled onto my 
side.   It was you, sleeping, there, next to me.   With my lips, 
I explored the soft place between the back of your ear and 
the nape of your neck, and though I felt you stir, you didn't 
really wake.   I could feel your heartbeat against the arm I 
had draped across your shoulders, and, as I continued to 
nuzzle the side of your neck, the rhythm of your breathing 
slowly quickening.   You turned towards me, and with your 
eyes still shut, somehow whispered "good morning" with a kiss.

    **********                          

Summer silently slipped 
through leaves of trees
and fell to Apricot, asleep...

Pleased, with ease I fell to knee
to taste what sunshine brings to me--
to seize the piece of supple flesh,
and bring it to my lips and stretch
its skin until it parts and gives
a quiver to my heart of hearts.

In haste I waste no time to bring
you full-force to my face--to sing--
to inhale infinite folds that race
with your aroma ripe with grace...
And for a moment, forget
all the reasons why
I should not love you.



r peck
VIII 98