Our Lady Of The Reef

There are times when I would give
Almost anything
To be eighteen again, and
Stand barefoot on the
Sands of the Port Austin shore
As aquamarine
Broke and glittered beneath the
Late afternoon sun.

To feel the late July breeze
Kiss my neck and leave
The scent of sand and lilac;
Feel the lips of God
Poised mere inches from my own--
That, and that alone,
Could flood my empty basins,
Could quench these dry reeds.