With You
by Michelle Wiegers
Summer draws them outside again tonight
while you and I lay our lankiness down,
your long legs pressing against mine,
as our children’s voices stream in
through the living room window.
We hardly dare to speak,
not wanting to break apart
these few minutes we are given.
Our breath slows its pace
as the laughter of our little ones
soothes our bodies. Releasing
thoughts of this week, we share
dreams for the coming ones.
The breeze brings in the sweet scent
of grass blending with the sounds
of their splashes, dancing
across our skin, loosening each muscle.
The closeness of our bodies, completed
by their chorus of play
as we exhale another day.
(Originally appeared in Healing the Divide: Poems of Kindness and Connection, edited by James Crews.)
