Saipan

Remembered youth in distant lands

Idly wandering through lilac pools
of scented jasmin, trailing vines
tangling round out feet,
We played.

Wondering when, if ever, we might see the snow again
with tingling cold and ravished wind
gushing through our outstretched hands,
We laughed.

Falling then, you hurt your knee
And I, remembering that the night was
closing in and changing form,
Took leave.

Remember now, my love, on these first days
of sweetly warming spring
the smell of jasmin scented laughter in
Saipan.