After and Again

Shuffling dying embers, the aftermath

in the disconnection of two collections of light

opening and closing around one another

with two sets of memories like

running with small feet in the dirt

or smelling searing garlic in the pan.

The echoes of the rhythm pounded

inside the walls of woman's body

beat by will of man's

straining to let these ghostly sounds

evaporate
or begin again.