Simple as Breathing

I'm forgetting to breathe
without you here

don't know where
my edges are

without the circle
of your arms

unsure of my footing
without your step

in time with mine.
The mountains go on

and on into ink-brushed
distance. Late afternoon

lights the escarpments.
The valley floor's littered

with fallen things -
leaves, angels,

thrown away lives.
The air is clean

as a scraped bone
rinsed with the voices

of birds and fern-fed creeks
sharp with the buzz
of planes and people -
but I can't take it in.

I need you here
our breath entwined

need the atmosphere
of your mouth on mine.