Midsummer Eve
Lightning flashing
Allerton Park stroll

Air heavy with musk
Charged expectancy

Bee hive humming
Inside Fu dog statue
Honey dripping

Deep in the woods
Birds silent

Very last sliver
Of an old moon
Winking good night

Alive in this one moment
Senses heightened

•

Red, yellow, green
Cool crisp morning
The trees sigh their last breath

Longing writes
A transparent question on her heart

Two lovers with
Tight embrace
Mock the north wind

Geese overhead following inner compass
Providence beckons

With wary eye
Drinking from the Sangamon
Early evening wild turkey

Twilight sparkles
Bird songs fading

•

••

Full moon’s halo
Weaving its spell
Of enchantment around them.

Bare trees bone chilling cold
The lovers walk closer still

But one looks away
Hears the call of the West
And wonders

Words spoken in heat
Colder than the wind pierce the heart

Bittersweet memories blossom
Nectar
Infusing their hearts with hope.

The red glow of the hearth
Earl Gray tea simmering

•

He talks of mountain roads
Above timberline
In his blood now.

She talks of the elders
Looking out a frosted window

About her ancestors
And their voices
In the trees here.

Pleading come with me
Again the cold

After he leaves
Numb with cold
Heart in hibernation.

Mountain quaking Aspen leaves
Thoughts of her relentless

•

•••

She lights one red candle
Closes eyes
Calls him home.

Thoughts of tender walks
He wakes longing for her

She senses his presence
Feels him
Moving closer every moment.

Driving through switchbacks
Black ice black coffee high

Ancient Asian wisdom
We see
The same moon.

Road turns sees her walking
Green maze sunken garden

•

His scent
Head turns
Eros smiles.

Touching tendril curls at her neck
Tears drop on gargoyles leer

A cardinal sings
Crimson
Flirting with spring

Off winding trail they witness
1fawn 2fawn 3 born

Cherries
Blossom
Wild as hearts

Come
Enter this luminous garden
Drink freely.

C. J. Babcock
C. R. Stivers