The Shepherd’s Song

The heavy air was scented by
The disappointed flowers
The weatherman had promised them
Warm soft summer showers

They bowed their weary heads
Resigned to wait a few more hours
And we walked together in the half light
Down secret paths

Climbed wooden fences
Till a dancing meadow
Enveloped us within its grassy web

There was no need for discussion
It was surely no disgrace
Her soft skin had the texture
Of the finest silken lace

Waiting moist and trembling
It was just the time and place
And our woven bodies sang together
In harmony

With understanding
Till we fell back smiling
Rejoicing in the music we had made

The blood red summer sunset
Was a slowly spreading stain
That rose behind the bandstand
As the shepherd played again

We heard his silver trumpet
It had blown away the rain
And we lay together in the long grass
Holding hands

And making sweet talk
Till the smell of woodsmoke
Reminded us that it was to go