Late Afternoon

Beyond the limits 
of longing
a patchwork
of shadows and light 
because winter
and a window 
and the other side of the pane 
a frozen sun
where leaves tremble 
dropping their dappled 
display
what you have been
you have
the potential to become 
again, I said
I want to travel the world 
he said
imagining the country 
a French chateau
a girl in a room 
thick with books 
thick as a forest 
lullaby
an alchemy
of thoughts
warming his cheeks 
to Rosicrucian
and a fire
inside the walls
its burning message 
that says—thou art God