Homage
Heat. Face follows sun. Arms espaliered to stone
wall, like a peach. Eyes closed: waiting. Stone
reflects heat. Fingers stretch, seek cracks. Toes
dig hot earth, seek damp: root, waiting. Heat.
Insects buzz. Sun brushes face: ripens. Heat follows
breeze. Insects brush face: waiting. Arms
espaliered, fingers curl. Stone crumbles. Insects
sip sweat, salt on lips. Ripens. Buzz brushes cheek.
Heat stretches skin. Waiting, ripens. Heat.
Footsteps crack gravel. Sun follows sound. Eyes seek
face; ripens; waiting. Fingers brush cheek. Heat.
Words buzz. Eyes reflect peach: ripened, waiting.
Heat. Arms espaliered seek embrace. Lips crack, heat
brushes face. Gravel footsteps follow. Eyes closed,
salt leaks. Stone crumbles. Heart espaliered cracks.
Ripe peach falls.