I find you in the evening, standing rigid in between the trees
I laugh; it looks like you’re about to be swallowed up by the forest
I tell you as much as your eyes crinkle at the corners
Oh, how dear you are to me
I tell you I cannot stay long, that my mother would be calling for me soon
You nod and offer me your hand
I take it, feel your cold fingers against mine
You still hold on so gingerly
As though I could shatter in a million pieces
We weave between the inky trees, and listen to the forest
I stagger behind just so I can stare at your back
The suit pristine
Your pants without a scratch
Your shoes always polished
A constant sweet scent wafting off you
We spend our time on our backs, counting the stars which peek in between the foliage
I watch your face and thank God for that face
For it’s like no face
I have ever seen
Or will ever see
When my mother’s voice carries on the wind to our ears, I sit up in a hurry
But you only watch me from down below
I begin to say I have to go
But all you do is raise your hand in silence
And I already know I’m excused
So we walk to the edge of the forest
Where we bid
Our soft goodbyes
So I run back home, watching as the sun dips lower and lower
Your face imprinted in my mind
The touch of your fingers still hot on my skin
I chance a glance over my shoulder
Hoping, wishing
But you’re already long gone
Oh, how dear you are to me