ode to my tears

like a kiss on the nape of my neck
a touch of my lover’s hand on my hip
you slip from the corner
crevice of my eye
caress my cheeks and say 
I love you

you fall 
every day like Autumn leaves 
float down 
fog up my glasses
sprinkle on my face
you sing me songs 
like morning sermons
chant prayers that hum like lullabies

you whisper in my ear 
you’ll be okay
and rock me back to sleep 
drip drops land on curves of my lips
your tang like honey and lime
I lick your beads and swallow you
absorb you 
like air to fill my lungs

I follow your streams to 
open valleys where
noon time showers
sobs
carve canyons 
inside my chest
your flow 
enfolds
my body
replenishes 
the ground
I walk on
and remind me
I am still
alive

minh dang
may 2006

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