Latitude and Longitude

your celestial body

I want to map it
chart every course
trace every liquidy river
climb the proud mountains
and coax the shy valleys
the slow and rushing geography
that pushes you
and pulls you
closer and farther
closer and farther
from me

I want to remember
every sharp point of you
the trail of arrows
leading to arrows
funny bones
collar bones
paralleling ribs
tiny toe bones
the 45 angular degrees
of elbows and knees
I could anchor myself there

I want to taste
your rich architecture
every sturdy stone
and delicate molding
and see if I can
melt the putty in between

I want to know
every cardinal direction
your sturdy gaze north
your sly profile east
your brave open west
and the sweet welcoming south

i want to memorize
your precise numbers
and you are a prime one
of where you are
at all times
and make you
my fixed point
my you are here
my x marks the spot
my hidden entrance to
your secret garden

because

if I know where you are
and how to chart your path
you will forever remain
firmly & lovingly rooted
into
the
latitude
and
longitude
of
my
very
own
heart

you,
my
most
precious
star.

***