As light begins to fade
She gathers up her tools, regretfully
Birds twitter softly to each other
In the far off trees
The evening dim is falling
She hears vixens calling
To their cubs nearby
A wild, lonely, piercing cry
And feels the urgent pull inside herself
For him
Apron stuffed with fragrant herbs
Aromatics, medicinal, perfumed
Hands full, back tired from bending
She stands up, easing stiffness
Stretching
Suddenly needing comfort
The warmth of him
*****
The long days work is done
There’ll be more tomorrow
His back aches from chopping wood
He still feels the axe blade’s rhythmic swing
All the way from thigh muscles
Hips, shoulders
Through to his hands
Clenching and unclenching them
The song of steel on wood
Still ringing in his ears
So that he doesn’t hear her coming
Until she stands before him
Lays down her basket
Moves quietly behind him
Lays hands upon his shoulders
Strong fingers work their way
Deep into hard flesh
She feels him yield
Let all tiredness fall from him
Pain and aching bones
Cramped muscles
Easing, loosening
Letting go.
*****
And now as darkness closes around them
The smell of her surrounds him
Fresh, sharp, pungent, clean
The gatherings of her calling
White Lady, She
Yet now her call is silent
As she leans in towards him
As she breathes pinesap, sweat and whisky
The deep male smell of him
Irresistible, intoxicating
He gathers her to him then
Takes her small hand in his
All tiredness gone from both of them
Revived, there is nothing now but hunger
Desire, one for the other
*****
One flesh
Beloved husband
Cherished wife
Like the auld story of the Greylag Geese
Mated for life.
***
Poem for Claire and Jamie
MargaretArlen ©️
Written for Outlander Universe
July 7th, 2019