milky way

leafy tunnel
the point where the road
disappears

For three years or so it was my favourite spot on earth.

I’d take the old stone steps down through the rhododendrons, then wait, gathering any last moments of beauty to bring to our conversation, before I rang the bell.

bronze on red –
an eastern spinebill among
red camellias

last leaves –
a fast one in a slow one’s
flutter path

What we talked about is now less important than how we talked. I remember our laughter. And how our eyes met over the antics of wrens, a sudden shaft of sunlight, or punctuating thunder.

it warms
my hands too –
kissing bird motif

I did not imagine it would all be over so thoroughly or so soon.

roosting butterflies  
disperse – inspiration for
a home of my own