July 2019 – Page 2

a laboring fan-
august heat makes fonder my
memories of snow
–
summer sun-
my verdant lawn
sere and brown

another sunset-
the lives I’ve lived and died in
hopes of meeting you
–
falling snow-
the guttering flame
turns to smoke

long evening shadows-
the sun half hidden behind
a stand of live oaks
–
sleepless-
my mind puts flesh
on the shadows

thin fringes of white
ring the brow of the mountain
furrowed by the past
–
white cliffs-
the sun glints
off the sea spray

old invitations-
coffee’s brewed in the kitchen
if you’d ever show
–
rising steam-
cozy dreams
of coffee shops

blackbirds in the trees-
pebbles left on your headstone
in remembrance
–
knees in the soft earth-
I clear away
the weeds and leaves

frosted azure skies-
the curves of a white dragon
taken by the wind
–
pencil thin clouds-
the ocean reaches out
to touch the sky

atop cotton sheets
the drone of the ceiling fan
keeping me awake
–
sleeping dogs-
paddle fans spin
in lazy circles

another meeting-
I know your failings so well
as I do my own
–
rain slicked neon-
another club soda
graces my glass

knelt down before you-
my voice offered as a sign
of my devotion
–
scorched copper sky-
blood I’ve spilled
on your alter