In the heartbeat instant of contact
two pairs of old friends
have met at last.
Nothing exists between them.
Two hands have never
touched this closely,
no great culture has ever lasted
as long as this empire of our lips-
diplomats, messengers between worlds.

We sigh and break
apart into our separate selves,
two restless hermits
discovering a truth:
Time lies!
I look at my watch,
that faithless allegory
I have strapped myself into,
it says we have exchanged an instant
when I know that you gave me lifetimes,
empires, eons, ages
to open my eyes,
shake my head
and drag myself slowly
back to this waking,
walking dream that I live.

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