Terre Verte

Terre Verte

The ripe red tomato was green first

and will return to green earth

when the pink and red flesh

fades to feed next seasons baskets of fruit.

The Tusquittee Painting Queens

laid down an undercoat of terre verte

to neutralize the red and pink

and make cheeks and hands glow

Hands that cup a butterfly, a hummingbird

Hands that hold a newborn or follow your

lover around the dance floor

Chloe made a warm space

for the Tusquittee Queens to paint and drink tea

To Chloe, from a distance,

you were loved by all.

I stroked her cheek

brushed her hair back from her eyes

I held her hand in mine

as in prayer

and promised her

I would love her the rest of my life

To Chloe, from a distance,

This could be you here

and me there

spread across the green earth.