"jeremiah ray poetry" – One Breath Poetry

the stargaze lilies are back
i remember them
held in candlelight
only in candlelight
i remember nights
held in humidity
only in humidity

oh where oh where oh where oh where
that is how this poem starts
in my mind.
i asked myself, ‘do you recall
where you left that emotion?’
but i couldn’t.
so i just bought time
trying to wait it out
by asking,
oh where oh where oh where

a whip breaking
the silence of night;
stooping too low
against a frigid breeze
that even flesh upon flesh
couldn’t warm.
i will not
be remembered as such,
but echoes said
i would.
the same voice that
whispered love to my wrinkles,
and in the same breath
scolded me for
unlabeled erotic poems.
now, i will remember
you as such.

this
hold as whole
within one
two becoming one
one without
now gone

i am torn up
ragged
but there is pleasure
still to give
there is love
still here
to enjoy

i placed delicate lily petals
on the floor
and lit candles.
the light crept around
the darkness,
along with the sounds of summer
and the heat –
such heat.
i can’t remember your taste,
a memory i can leave
in the past,
but the lily petals,
how they curl inward,
flesh toned and sensual,
they remind me
of who i was –
of who i am –
even as i willingly
release memories of you.

this would be fine
touching the sky as we do

a million miles away
as we are

each one saying
this is fine

the dust of
the past

still
underneath

our nails