Once More

in the desert

bowing
towards
the earth

my breath slows
into sand
blooming
greenery

the sun presses
into dust
sleeping
late afternoon slumbers

the wind stops

my head rises
ears perk
against
buzzing stillness

i smell his fear—
the man
sinks
to his knees
before the water

a shadow
hovers
dripping

her naked toes
shifting sands
shushing
and reaching

my body yields—
hands cover
my eyes

she takes them
cradled
in her palm

her breath smells
of horses
and i breathe her

sight buried
into the earth
but still
i see

looking through
ancient eyes
back at myself

i bow
my head
once more