Doldrum day. Such heat
and listless air

and a riot on the ascent–
snow lilies, wild columbine,

chickweed, yarrow,
blessed lupine

all strewn along
the unsettled talus slope.

Nearly a hundred
in the shade,

the salt on my skin
a mockery of snow.

Of all I carried
up, you were by far

the weightiest
thought—

the longest shadow,
the most insistent thirst.

For hours now
I have held petals

on my tongue,
rivers in my arms,

to offer you–
where have you gone?