your green eyes blend with the thicket
and root you in the softened soil
that, mashed, rises between your toes
i insist on wearing shoes and socks
you insist on feeling the coolness,
the tickle of grass kissing your ankles,
the rush of pine-needled steps,
and the firm thump of footprints
when home, I lay barefoot and
you touch your fingers between my toes
your heart beats green, beats slow
against the soles of my feet
like the first few droplets of rain
dripping on thirsty leaves