WHAT WAS ONCE.

[dadio]

She would often stare at you
sitting by the pond
the summer sunlight

playing there
on the waters’ skin
the holidays

having just begun
and she’d say
you do love me don’t you?

and you’d look away
from the sunlight’s dance
and reply

of course I do
and you’d see that look
in her eyes

like worlds
being born
and she’d say

Mother wouldn’t want
me here alone with you
and you looking back

at the pond’s water
would say
why is that?

what have I done
to cause her alarm?
Birds flew across

the pond
their cries breaking
the silence of the summer day

she moved her hand
and touched your hand
resting on the dry earth

because she’s jealous of me
being loved I suppose
or maybe she thinks

we do things while alone
you look back at her
the way she sat

the skirt lifted
along her thigh
her hand squeezing yours

that summer
that love
the fresh life

of loving
the being
out of doors.