OUT OF THE EARTH

The park’s diagonal avenue of limes

is in leaf. A warm southwesterly

billows through the foliage like falling surf,

like the tumultuous rushing of flames.

I watch you walk away under the trees,

and disappear into the green shade.

On the path directly opposite,

across an uncluttered expanse of grass,

you reappear some moments later,

undeterred by a surge of carefree cyclists

taking short cuts, or self-absorbed dog walkers.

You vanish beyond the wind-swept tennis courts.

As if I were some ancient and complacent

Orpheus I know that I shall see you –

walking beneath the tumult of the leaves,

sure-footed on the airy ground – and feel

that wave of love like fire.