THEY RODE

They rode like the light 
when it lets itself flow 
through forests and along rivers
like The Mystic. They rode
for no other reason than to remember
to think about bright things -- 
the burnished river they rode beside, 
the bringers of the good news 
that is everywhere, 
the wisdom of roads 
and small stones in driveways
and birds scattering suddenly 
because of simple happiness --
just above him, in fact, 
as he helped these words 
work together on this page. 

MOZART AT 90 DEGREES

For him, Mozart's melodies
made the most of the muggy day,
sending discomfort off
like darkness comes to a quiet end
when dawn starts to sway
outside the windows.
He wished she was with him,
to hear how violins and cellos
always choose comfort and coolness for him.
Warm weather tiptoes up the steps
and softly knocks,
when Mozart is on.

WHAT SHE DOES

She helps him hold the world
a little more closely and lovingly,
helps him look more carefully
at how life
displays itself in partnerships,
how the smallest things
slide together like perfect puzzles.
She shows him how
to bring the gifts of life
into fuller view,
the way certain paintings
seem to come forth from their frames
just for them
when they visit museums together,
holding hands sometimes
to stay close.