I went hunting in woods
far from my place of birth
To find my love
standing
poised like an animal
smelling the air
ready at the first sign
to bolt
away toward the darker trees
we circled and pawed
no distance from the other
neither sure which way to step
or what to say
nothing … was the final decision
we were speaking volumes
with every bead of sweat
every glance, every measured breath
time felt held back, the air
snapped like a branch
the animal turned
and did not look back
I emerged from the glade,
knowing that I would hunt again
that same animal
my love
just once to conquer
the wilderness
once would be enough
We are Captains 