the last tear

If I could but pour again into this world

I’d come again as agile pearls

to cushion your morning walks.

If I could but send you softened morning sun

celestial domes of endless mirrors

would watch your moments unfurl.

If I could have reflected the perfection

of your gaze I’d be the river too

that feeds the sun and the dew.

If I could but feed you, I’d feed you the sun

the light that never rests within you

I’d give you the waters’ wheel.

If I could but wield the waters with the sun

Icarus would have no need to know

where the sun-fed waters go.

If I could but know where the sun’s waters go

I’d see the ocean for the stream

I’d feel the wind in the keel.

If I could but bring you back to me dear one

I’d cast you again in bronze or

steel you off for endless talks.

If I could but send away instead the fear

I’d tread by moonlight evermore

where tender flesh truly seems...

But for the clouded skies there’d be no waters

to pour again and again to

restore my last heaven-sent tear.