To Alice on her 80th Birthday

I am aware of my arm around you,
and then awed feeling your life so close to mine.
What is this that is us?
How did we get so bonded together?
As scenes of your exhuberance to life
flow into my soul, I know.

With passion you send your spirit to join
a cascading mountain stream, and take mine with you.
With delight we share reflections
of a wooded shore around a seaside cove.
Desparately you express a need to be present
at the formation of a layered cliff.

These thoughts splash through me
with your warm body pressed against mine,
and I hold you tightly and laugh in pleasure
at being separate yet one with you.

Wally