By Madison
Date: 7 October 1999

Angel Man

if I want to smile
I tie my thoughts to paper kites
and send them to the water's edge.

I remember where we stood.
toes kissing toes
set like concrete footings in the sand

to steady frames
to hold our arms finding backs finding fingertips
beside the ocean floor.

if I want to smile
I turn your brim around
just as it was that day

making way for faces 
nesting faces lips taking lips
and somehow salt marsh anchors

kept our souls from lifting past the morning sky
or digging in like pebble crabs 
away from light.
 
I can almost touch the linen twine you thread 
as I hold still for you 
your coral beads are sewn into my dreams.

Angel Man with ocean eyes
I sigh for you
your soul - gently woven to my own.

if I want to smile
I hear the birds that called your name 
overhead overland overus

along the shore they spy 
to find the end of sea
looking for horizon walls to wing.

if I want to smile
I tie my thoughts to paper kites
and send them back to you my Angel Man.



M Madison
9 sept 99
copyright © 1999


                               ~**~*

           the sea hath bounds but deep desire hath none
                         [Venus and Adonis]