Frozen Fountain

Frozen Fountain

In that moment I felt that heaps of water
Thrown upward would not fall again. Stay there
Fixed, they would, and hard in the sunlight glitter.
I could have licked these brilliant branches,
Or embraced the columns and shards.
Might feel all melt to the palm, dripping
From the touch of given warmth. But
None of this I did, my steamy breath within me.

Of a sudden, like redless cherries unattached, lone
Droplets fell, scattering with the click of fawn hooves.
Rolled one to my foot even as I bent to pluck it,
And this I placed in my mouth.

And even though each drop to my throat
Brought two from my eyes, I knew that I could
And I might, but I will not, love this.

© Ciprianowords Inc. 2008