~LEIGH
KIRKLAND~
FLAUTIST
AT THE AL FRESCO
WEDDING
Lift the hem of a long black dress,
climb into the canoe,
sit on the middle bench to be rowed
across the lake at sunset,
knees almost on the floor to open
up the diaphragm.
Two muscular men in tuxedos balance
the canoe
with small silent movements of the
paddles under the water.
The grace vibrating the notes in
the lower register
will move into the body—jouissance
in the silver
keys of the flute, the flautist's
body, two mouths full of music will
warm the silver.
Shadows dissolved on the water, mountains
reflected
on the water will reverse neatly
at the shore line,
the color of the sun will pool around
the canoe,
across the glassy surface of the
water.
© by Leigh Kirkland
