WALKING BAREFOOT IN THE TEMPLE

He said: how should we start? 

She said: with crimson leaves and the delicate magic of dewdrops.

And when the ocean stones say yes, what then?

We will have our directions. 

Directions? 

Yes! 

Okay! And then? 

We will know we can step out of our sandals—

And into the temple?

No, the Ganges.

Is that when we kiss the eucalyptus?

Yes! 

And then can we eat with our fingers?

Yes, but only after we have finished floating.

And what of the one egg?

We will use it to cleanse our palettes.

But what about the spice and heat? 

Oh, you remembered. It may make me hiccup—

And keep you from swallowing?

Yes, that's right. But soon enough I'll start speaking with long spoons.

That only depends, though, on which side of the Sundae you’re on, right?

Yes, and how giddy and sloppy I get.

You like messy, don’t you?

Yes, it makes me 78% happier.

Her optic nerve, already enormous, just then

saw their lives expanding and glowing 
like a poem composing itself on a phone.