Something Like Rain

The evening slips into the moon.

Our geckos surface, scurrying for water

after a long day in unrelenting heat.

The cats fold into our legs and

we settle.

Your head on my tummy, and

I run tired fingers

through your soft hair.

Home. But still,

I wonder, momentarily,

when you

like drowning,

sand rising in water,

blurring,

shifting,

sinking

I cannot breathe—

swallow,

break.

And you look up,

eyes wide,

perfect,

mismatched and true.

“I love you.”

I look down at the ebony band

on my finger.

Free.

Water washes

over my feet.

You are here.

my love,

i fade in and out

gentle fingers

run calm through

an unquiet mind

thoughts spill and multiply

like static energy

waiting in the unfamiliar comfort

of unprecedented times

grounded only by

quiet rhythm

painting patterns

over old ink

can't-

catch-

complete-

i love you

reaches the surface

i wait for the weight of a cat

and for you to settle into my chest

i breathe out the day

safe

free

soon the rain will return my love

Soon.