THE SECRET MUSIC OF LOVE

Heartbeats like hoof-beats
in basso profundo resonate
with the musk of music,
the scent of rosemary
and lavender,
a rapture of melody and harmony
like Rodolphe and Mimi
singing their hearts out.

II

Those icy fingers
up and down my spine

Herbie Mann’s jazz flute solo
gets blood pumping.

Fingers, lips and tongue
sing what can’t be said

after dancing a slow fox-trot
with kisses sweeter than wine.

Miles and Coltrane bopping the blues
to My Funny Valentine

but the music of love
is the sound of no sound,
like a John Cage concert
where silence reigns.