Perseids

poem

Too hot to sleep.
We crawled out the window
to sit on your rooftop
in the warm summer breeze.

In spite of the heat
we leaned skinning near
talking of hopes and dreams
stars refracting our eyes

I bent to kiss you.
Uncertain you teased laughing,
“not unless the stars fall...”
Then you gasped in surprise.

As a hundred stars
rained from the night sky.
Stirring awake wishes
we hadn’t even realized.

Pulling me down,
you embraced destiny,
said “careful what you wish next.”
We yielded to desire.

Too hot to sleep;
we stayed on the rooftop
giving shape to longing;
setting the stars on fire.