For Brandon, in spring

In my dream you
walked in
confident and alive.
We had a long hug,
your strong frame
solid and familiar
beneath me.

It had all been a hoax
but you knew now
how real our love was,
no apologies just
your true
spirit of abundance
radiating around the room.

It was so absolutely real
your aliveness
and we hug again,
you flop down on the bed,
Hilary's high school one,
with the white shelves,
buoyant and relaxed,
and I see that
life is never really
as it seems --

your dark river of hair
and resonant voice,
the way you love
the world
love us
sing us through
another season,
soften across the shoulders,
choose to stay.