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