I stand alone in the rain and watch
as blood jewels on my finger
a perfect ruby sphere
I must have pricked my finger but
strangely I can’t remember
the thought comes unbidden
that it’s because of you
last summer at the field we watched clouds drift
form and reform and I felt unmolded myself
our legs tangled together like the thickets
behind my grandmother’s house
fuzzy leaves and prickled thorns
when we were small
you would make fairy caps of raspberries
laughing as I’d adorn my fingers with them
now I bring my finger to my lips
for a moment I feel certain
it’ll taste of raspberries and memory
instead it tastes like the sea
you were always too afraid of it