Parallel Pause

She walks outside, looks up to the sky, sees
geese fly south for the winter, hears
the sounds of cars flying down the avenue, watches
the colors of the leaves and the grass - still deep green.

He notices the color of the sky, sees
the patterns in the leaves and the tracks in the sand, senses
woodsmoke from a nearby fire, finds
a wildflower blooming brightly in the morning sun.

She finds a small stream off the inlet, walks
along the path for a while, hears
the scattering of a bird in the underbrush, tries
to piece together the messages from her heart to her soul.

He climbs across the rocks, divided
along the beach where the surf sparkles brightly, finds
a small stone deep in his pocket, reminded
of the song she whispered in his ear that morning.

She walks back along the path, waiting
for the sign that carries her answers, shares
conversation to cheer another, takes in
the colors of the leaves and the grass - still deep green.