One Life’s Measure

If the measure of a life
     is gauged by the moments
that steal our breath,
     then my life has a full measure

What stutters my breath;
     what extent does my life encompass?

Capturing that elusive word
     when writing, gazing upon
the endless dance of stars
     painted across a midnight sky,

the melancholy susurration
     of wind in the trees, a pas de deux
of wood and flame, tracing
     the arch of your brow, savoring
your exhalation upon my nape

and the arpeggio of our love
     and life together.