New Day, New Love

The glow of first light
creeps over the horizon,
segues into color,
muted pinks, blues, gold,
Monet’s water lilies 
splashed against 
the canvas of the sky.
Man and animal 
begin to stir,
move bones slowly,
while with them
gentle night breezes
turn to wind,
as two poplars
in the corner of the meadow 
begin a pas de deux,
twirling, twisting,
leaping, touching,
their leaves dappled
with color,
a mating.
On the opposite horizon 
the moon loiters,
takes its time 
ceding its domain 
to the sun,
crouched behind 
the palette 
waiting to spring out 
like a wild beast.
I feel your breath
on the back 
of my neck,
half turn,
take your hand,
and, linked, we watch
in silence,
wave goodbye 
to the moon,
our nighttime guardian,
and pay homage
to the sun,
who will warm us
on another day
of love.