the rabbit's lament

no more need
   to strain my neck
      looking back
         over my shoulder

no more need
   to run so hard
      to push my heart
         beyond its reach

the pain of piercing talons
almost a relief

pencil-thin line

I did well today.


   my finger lightly traces

     the ridge above my eye

       perfectly, pleasingly

      absolutely smooth

   as I reflect…


I did not cry today.

I did not yell.

I did not panic under pressure.

Yes, it was a good day altogether.


   my finger lightly traces

      the ridge above my eye

        still warm with the lingering sting

      of far too much attention

   as I wonder…


Will I do as well

tomorrow?

And how much time

might be required

for an eyebrow

to re-grow?

as one

i know you

   as waves know sand,

       every glittering, tumbling grain,

              each crashing curve of

            salt and blue,

        drawn again

and again

    into the other

         in an ancient

               eternal and

           intimate

     dance.

spider

silent venom
slowly seeping
as I sleep

scalding fingers
of poison flame
stretch and grasp
beneath my skin


in this dream
I call your name

picked clean

some poems
are just gristle
and bones

spare and naked  
truth
from deep
inside

exposing
a visceral
and terrible
beauty

default

we are born
hungry

belly and soul

wailing
to be filled

odd couple

Watching the old man scowl

and stomp away,

I gently asked her,  

Why?

A bit of wistful met her crinkled smile.

    He just needs a bit of distance.

    I think sometimes he's a little afraid of me,

       if truth be told.

My forehead creased with questions I could not voice,

but her eyes met my confusion

with sudden shining depth,

pressing in on me 

in a rush of calm

and blue.

    He is fire, child,

    and I am water.

 


February 2007