I Know You Best in Winter

Published in Bluestem (March 2013)

I know you best in winter
No flutter
No leafy camouflage
No confusing thaw
No spring honeysuckle
Grown heavy and sweet by swollen creeks.

Just scar and muscle and chafe
Bend and bone
Sighs and whispers I can read like smoke signals
Your body curving into mine for warmth
This I understand,
This I know.