what lays back of things

that worry us:

fuzzy antlers, the years we gave

to the study of life and death

i remember 

the white elk

in the particle accelerator woods,

your white breast

in the playhouse

i forgot your name

i wish you could have seen me

riding a horse in the bay

sinking and popping like a cork

we agree i imagine

to only talk of the past

as present

though i know you will 

be where you are, you were

a gift