peaking

plush green is diving every stalk
and branch, gulping light like tongues
snatching rain drops from their long descent 

the sticky evidence of ripening is dappling 
chins and fingers and favorite shirts, planting
it’s sweetness into every opening 

you are stuffing sun in your cheeks  trying to out
run the day but she has been training
diligently to leave you in her dust

each well-worshipped body of wetness gathers
you in her boldness, whispering you’re welcome 

you are licked in the scent of blooming, belly
brimming with fresh photosynthesis, undersides 
of fingernails laced with first harvests

your love letter in ripping
laughter, in soft savoring,
is read over and over before
plucked off in a mischievous 
gust of change