Unmuted

my love
has always been
quiet

paw prints
left new
on freshly fallen
snow
shadowed cutouts
upon
the gauzy glittered mat

the chill waft
of the 
incoming storm-soaked wind
cooling the beads
of summer sweat
on the shoulders
of the worn

the sizzle of the
kindling
feeding the 
small fire
constant and
dependable
the gift
subtle
yet generous

perhaps
this is why
i am flummoxed

peace 
meets peace...
and the world
turns upside 
down

the passion ensuing
the blizzard 
brilliant and dangerous
phenomenally blanketing
all in crystalline 
splendor
paw prints lost
tenderly forgotten
during kisses
long
urgent 
and soft

the warmth of hearts colliding
thunderous crackles
the branches shaking 
to keep from roots
dislodging
as torrents
pelt
the peasant ground
we splash in muddied puddles
laughing
in hysterics
because
why not

your hand in mine
flames flickering
upward and 
outward
silver slivers
tinted white
golden blue sparks
splintering the darkness

there 
is
a blaze

and we are 
the old
the dying
curling into
smoke
burning to ash
ultimately
rising 
anew

my love
has always
been quiet

until with you