early morning damp
she wends through the garden
white shift and fog

lifting off the lake
a flock of swans greet the sky
with open wings

a rim of gold
on the horizon
autumn sun

dewdrop-coated grass
shimmering in first light
her secret smile

cheeks uplifted
to the merlin's high-pitched call
wildness in the blood

tendrils of cool air
slip across her shoulders
a little shiver

all the heather
outlined in sunlight
her glowing figure

striding across the moor
white sleeves billowing
he sees only her

they face each other
two hares still
before the dash

lips almost touching
gazes like butterflies—
eyes, mouth, eyes

heartbeats racing
hands afraid it’s a dream
at last they kiss