we are riding too close to each other
too fast
too far
entangled
his horse breaths in rhythm with mine

his leg straddle both animals
we are wrapped
become one

we are now riding beneath, beside, backward
everywhere at once
his hands at my hips, my face
we kiss and bite playfully this way

the Tassili howls and drops it’s veil all over us
sweat, horses, relentless heat- we go fast, faster
as each dune rises, falls
there is another
and another

looking behind us
we leave no tracks