remember the stars

floating in orange silence
temperature gradient in fluid space
you complete the slow descent

as memories recede peacefully
and a distant longing fades away
you feel the warmth crawling
into the skin
into the mind
out of the light

eyes locked into a hypnotic stare
colors hiding in billowing shadows
repeating patterns in angular dreams
the moment expands
until the waves
gentle sounds at the boundary
hint at your confinement

the hand above you
it is yours
this is all yours
steaming pearls on pristine flesh
universes at your fingertips

return from the water
for a moment you just gaze up
no stars beyond the window above
yet out there, somewhere
somewhere

(2013)

---