Stars

Water slipping through my fingers Drop by drop it flows away The stars glare down at me- so cold They’d freeze me if they had their way Emotions roiling, tumbling over Like a river flooding its banks Trapped underwater I hold my breath Trying not to join Death’s ranks A smile, a laugh, soft waterfall of hair Smooth lines of body, an artist’s delight You catch me off-guard, entirely unaware Aching chest, stopped breath, my feelings fight Stare up at the sky, long to be away And yet I still long to be with you Stars freeze and frost but colder yet Forbidden fruit- Eve’s apple made anew Hot, cold, hot, cold Opposites melt and meld and freeze Forming new shapes in each reforming Gentle, yet sharp-edged, as falling leaves