Pre-dawn’s grey burden lapped at breast and knee,
As stroke on stroke I parted glassy deep,
To wash the burden-webs of sorrow free,
Where silent swells—that ******—my bare body keeps.

Then limbs grew light, as floating upon sleep,
I let the cool flood enter where heat hides,
Your fingers—wave on wave—caressed, discreet,
I flipped; twin peaks welcomed dawn’s crisp air, gasped, unbound.

On shore, new sun caressed my dripping skin,
When sudden grace—a butterfly, sapphire-dipped surprise—
Alighted, trembling, sipping lake’s sweetness in,
Where lake meets pulse—a moment’s nectar prize.

Then wings, whisper-thin, traced my temple’s hymn—
Hope warmed in gold; all old sorrows forever dim