Familiar path followed under blanket of fog. Now venturing down into barren valley of a thousand steps toward forgotten years now remembering. Damp moisture of regret sticks to my nakedness while again descending into your embrace. You the Spartan warrior with sword drawn up in battle proudly rising like the magnificent sun swelling out of the earth, you ponder how to strike me down, how to defeat me as lover and competitor. I am already destroyed yet I return. I am forewarned of the end hinted in dreams, awakened in tears with arms flailing, drowning but I still go forward with plundered eyes open.

Flowing honey hair gently wraps around your arm, clearly she is there though I cannot touch her. With skillful blows exacting, I attempt to kill her but she is too elusive and escapes into self storage. I am Sparta too, simple and surviving in this valley of flint and dirt beside you. Our swords used for, against and together with uniform shields. Again a vision caught from the corner of my eye, she is waiting between glistening silks patiently beckoning. She confidently smiles as you invade into parted veils slightly transparent to be hers. I tell you to look and see through her to me, but you don’t dare look while awake. For she is like a ghost and you fear she will vanish beyond reach, leaving us simple Spartans and you without her.

Much time gone, it rains and warm days are cooling, the sun is no longer. I spied as you ascended with her to galaxies unknown yet you look down with great regret sticking. You were tormented to leave this Spartan valley of familiarity and me, you were afraid. She is not like us; she will lead and abandon you amongst the stars too far to reach. I will soon leave this valley too as I no longer belong without you and perhaps I’ll never return, but I am still here waiting for now. I am waiting.