novena for two voices 
counting the nights we live
and breathe between us
skin to skin
something sacred came this way
and left again, breath
in time, like a universe
approaching
nine nights we spent
stared at the stars
The prayer departs.
one night for love
and life set in motion
The prayer rises.
one night for dreams
and I craving devotion
The prayer sings.
one night for sorrow
for grief and for loss
The prayer beseeches.
one night for hope
for the going-across
The prayer admits failure.
one night for growing up
and the loss of illusion
The prayer begins again.
one night for fire
and furthered delusions
The prayer tries harder.
one night for anger
howled across skies
The prayer shivers.
one night for forgiveness
and the grace it provides
The prayer departs.
one night for worlds
lost, gained, and reborn
between us, skin to skin
The prayer rises.
The prayer rises.
counting the nights we've lived
a single breath between us
the universe approaching
skin to skin
the prayer takes us
the song sings us
skin to skin
voice to voice
skin to voice to thought to breath
to ears to mind to wings to tongue to song
to tongue to song
forever.
amen.
There are some things that will never be yours.