spill

did I tell you when the night runs over your body
your body and the night are inseparable
did I tell you
the night-flowering cactus opened finally
a single bud erupting high
above the bush

only when the moon is very full
only when the moon is very full

did I tell you that I’m thinking about the way
the top of your thigh at the back
plays violet music
as slowly as a leatherback hatchling emerges

did I tell you
did I tell you

did I tell you when your eyes come to me I am happy
we fall into each other our hands tangled in each other
our mouths and the joy is immediate and rigorous
like the slow triangulations of the moon flowering cactus
we rope ladder to the moon
making love together
together you say
this is what’s happening now

and this moon-flowering cactus
Queen of the Night
is a Cuban escapee
and only when the moon is very full
a violent bud enters the thrilling and
sudden spill of dark-shot light
the cradle spills
above the trees
a single bud erupts so high
in the midnight blueblack
only when the moon is very full
and it makes me long for you

and did I tell you that the scent
of this wham white gold fireworks burst outdoes even
waterlilies and the coming scent of rain
and this is what’s happening now
and the moon is very full