Fountain-kisses

Fountain-kisses

Stephen M. Szolosi

Later, as evening came, I returned to the garden.
Hard of hearing, I drew close to listen
and felt mist cool in the breeze.
And then, above the fountain appeared
your dove from her cover in the cliff,
the hummingbird.

Across the fountain, at its very summit,
stilled in flight,
she looked at me and I at her
before she perched on the stone lip of the font,
not to drink, but to bathe.

I heard:
“Not only my feet, but my head too.”
And the water conceded this time
to the green crown and red breast.
Then, to bathe back and tail.
Lastly, to wash wings in fountain-kisses.
Again, and again, and again,
you answered,
“I love you.”

The little bird lifted
to dance in a liquid gown.

Color-and-water wed,
the drop took flight.

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Stephen M. Szolosi
Poet and Spiritual Director 

Stephen serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at Santa Clara University's Jesuit School of Theology located in Berekely. In that role, he supports opportunities for personal and communal prayer. He has recently taken writing back up following his own time on retreat.

Photography by Judith Frietsch