Say Love

Speak the words

We’re going to need
some ribbon to braid,
or cords nine feet
knotted on each end.
I’ll lay the satin side
around your wrist
and slide my hand
across the smooth truth
of your palm,
bind my heart
for a year and a day,
speak the words say
love in spring and summer and fall
say love in winter
when all can be lost
in the deepest snows say love
and we’ll meet there
blowing on our fingers
and shaking beauty 
from the air.