she drew in life through breath

stepping back to let him take the lead

paused for a moment while he got strong

while he chose

it was soon that the curtain lifted

like a fog

like a soft voice inside

whisering “come this way, come with me”

life eagered them, engaged them to move forward

there was a gentle ease that pulled them forward

he learned her, inside and out

detail by detail

moment to moment

and she let him,

petal by petal

opening herself to all of him

moment by moment

they lived

her hand clasping his index finger

in the dark of night

curled

she breathed in life