My Lover            
for Kelly Hoffman
 
My lover is my largest
human garden.
But we don't plan
on having children.
She is five foot ten
and very slender,
with a nervous smile.
Her skin's light green
like sour olives
(with a fading tan
 she got in Africa)
but her taste is mild.
Pigeons enjoy her.
Ferns enjoy her.
Everything gentle
enjoys her.  My astonished tears
enjoy her.  Her dimples
light up my life like a pinball machine
played by a nimble-fingered master.
Let me live at least
a few more years
to praise her.
My angry life was silly
with its swords
until she gave me something
less warlike to worship.
Her skinny hips are not
for having children.
The cities send their blades
into the country.
Our forest love is not afraid.
My lover is my largest human garden.