For Any Two People

by JEAN PEDRICK

THE heart sinks slightly, like a grave.
It sags, tired, and rests on death,
A cleaned body, without breath.

Our prouder heads are walled and brave.
Fragrant with hope and after-shave
We rub our checks on fog and myth.

We see ourselves. We sit like mirrors,
Gazing in one another’s errors.
Our twice reflected beauty smiles
In our gold irised eyes, the isles
Of happiness. In yellow shallows
Love like surf folds in and follows
Fading islands miles and miles.

The heart learns first, already sinking
Glad on comfort tombed below it,
— says, “I am alone and know it.”
Bright heads lean together, thinking.