Seven Petals

seven petals float
trapped in a spiraling stream
i splash among them

the streamlet flows to
where the river warden waits
silent and brooding

dips in his fingers
draws forth a dewy petal
and whispers my name

we run through the glade
in the warmth of spring sunshine
and chase each other

it’s too much to know
that our love is forbidden
and so we pretend

this is our garden
it is our sanctuary
for a brief moment

walking home again
i stop by the stream and see
petals floating by