my husband and i walk,
almost every day ~ even
on the ones full
of rain.
sometimes on days,
full of snow.

we walk through our neighborhood,
craftsmans, victorians, cobblestones.
doors: mahogany, lime green,
blood red, tangerine.

leaded glass, stained glass,
lavender, honeysuckle, irises.

always around the pond, then to the river.

and one day, a blue-sky day,

unexpected,
from a tree, from far away,
a shadow, free-flowing and
self-defining.

we draw closer, a bee,
careening over my shoulder.

then it takes shape,

this wild hive.

a thing of earth and movement,
a life, a living buzz.

the comb, the womb,
created over night.
this magic life,
the hope-filled breath.

we always hold hands,
but now, we lean into
each other.
we hold our breath.
we kiss.

always yearning to take the bloom
and make it sweeter.