The Labyrinth

To pit young love against eternity—
as though to light a labyrinth of caves
with a single match—may this be done?

Imagine in the moment that the spark
is lit—the phosphorus so sharp it’s on
their tongues—our lovers see themselves
reflected in each other’s eyes; and see
each other’s eyes reflected in themselves.

    The labyrinth a hall of mirrors now.

And time is thrown; it meets its match
in space distorted by these beating hearts,
these shivers out of sync with any clock.

Ah, but not for long— Eternity
descends and sweeps them off their feet and lifts them
into the stratosphere, where countless points
of light engulf their match… From here, though,
they only see how chance their meeting was.

    The labyrinth a sprawling family tree.