Lie Down in Leaves

Lie down here
In my lap
Go slack against
My strong back
Lift up these leaves
Pull them over you
As your blanket

Look and let this sun
Touch and smooth over
Your cheek and brow
Warm hands hold and frame your face
The day holds you in its one eyed gaze
While my limbs cast cooler shadows on this place

Each tree comes in threes like thee
As we stand in morning sun with you
This tree itself
The shadow it lays before you, then moves all day
And its shape cast in frost while still night
An icy outline laid out on the ground
For the sun to melt
Weeping away at the edges
While slowly exposed to light

Touch too these layered stones
Grey and granite iced
White marble is the other slice
Both dark and light are life
Equal here, each to hold you, both can mark your path
Lie down here
In my lap
Pull them over you
As your blanket
It’s time, this place
To rest in peace