March 2019 – Page 3

rust stained porcelain-
hard metallic drips echo
off the bathroom sink
–
far from sleep-
the dripping faucet
maddening

snow on the gravestones-
the caretaker’s lantern swings
haloed in the fog
–
moonlit snow-
fog sprawls
across the road

driving through the night
the asphalt beneath my wheels
becomes slick with snow
–
my future-
lost in the oncoming
headlights

an empty barstool-
I decide to take a risk
on conversation
–
empty glasses-
my napkin
torn to shreds

a golden buddha
in quiet contemplation
half buried in snow
–
gentle snow-
singing bowls
fall silent

far from the cottage-

casual curls of wood smoke

the lake skinned in ice

–

winter storm-

a family of deer

pick through the snow

bright silver moonlight
streaming in through the skylight
pooling on the floor
–
quicksilver-
the full moon
above the trees

crimson fingernails
lightly drawn along my skin
leaving ghostly trails
–
rain streaked windows-
we agree
on safe words

I placed you upon
a pedestal and now you’re
far beyond my reach
–
the house dark-
a distant moon
through the skylight

an early March snow-
past time for pulling up roots
and moving along
–
stinging rain-
I return to find
an empty home