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When I arose before the sun

when I arose before the sun

and felt your arms around me

no clouds or rain 

or thunderstorms at dawn could find me.

the road we ride our bikes on

side by side

through city's reclaimed railway paths 

passing travelers, endless life unravelers 

through Taiwan's maze of corrugated blight

eyes tearing from store signs

and burning stalks from harvested fields 

onward to a place in time

that changes nowhere in my mind

life alive transfixed with love

and rides to adventures 

to stars that swirl above

and shine on dreams in our hearts

other-worldly feelings

that cannot amend the way we move

always transcending 

who we are and how we feel

to reach a place where gems 

like your Pisces moon eyes 

under eyebrow flares

frame your ebony hair 

in the throne off constellations 

ages from the sunspots

of our back pages


March 6, 2021

Alishan

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