Requiem

Meet me on the lake
before the last bit of evening light goes out
and night wells like a sob.

In this dreamless rush
between night and life,
I want to touch
your fingertips just once.

Around the lake, the wild lilies turn
and open their conical mouths
to catch the one or two words
you may have for me.

In this moment of brief unfastening,
we will stay for a while,
our paddles lapping
till night returns once more
to claim you as her own.