Promises

I will greet you with hands smelling of oranges.

I will kiss your mouth in your sleep.

I will let you surprise me

Over and over again.

I will curse that my hands can’t bat away all the things that will hurt you.

I will remember—despite the shock—that no matter how many times I have dreamt you

You are your very own dream

From your very own flickering head.

I will breathe you in and mingle you with my familiar cells.

I will breathe you out and let you mingle amongst the hard and soft particles of the air.

I will bring you home,

And I will open the door.

And as much as I delight

In the still unreal thought

of seeing the light bounce

from your face onto mine

I will not hurry you.

(September 2009)