Undine

I have had a single love affair
that began in the recesses of my heart
before I knew the woman
before I knew her taste
She is an Oceanid
She is Undine
a fluid form fascinated by
soft and supple things
-- the color of light in rain
oceans and slow rivers
the movement of water
over white bodies
like gentle song

She comes only to me then
only in whispers
trembling fingers down my spine
small inspirations swelling
like storm waves through me
till Art crests full and brilliant
and breaches my soul
crashes upon my mind
shattered, sparkling mosaic
I am left to gather

and when I speak my Art
it leaves upon my tongue
her taste
like water
like the dawn
slow and essential
a languid wine
that spins my mind
intunes me to the pulse of the world
wraps my fragile body
with filaments of divinity