Age

every nerve exposed-
in the comfort of her mind
she shuts out the world
–
long afternoon shadows-
an old rocking horse
threadbare and faded

shortening my stride
slowing behind old lovers
walking hand in hand
–
icy harbor-
the crush of a
rising and falling tide

strangers on a bus
the empty seat next to you
very enticing
–
barefoot in the grass-
your hair falling
across my shoulder

living with strangers-
years torn from my memory
replayed day by day
–
dimming light-
a quiet place
to lay my head

a pair of otters
dozing in the sun floating
far out in the bay
–
bleached driftwood-
iridescent sand
on the ebb tide

the hand of Moira
pulling taught a strand of fate
prior to the cut
–
cloudless night-
death comes
on silent wings

gaping in the gloom
taking perverted pleasure
in bringing me down
–
pewter skies-
cold rain drips
off the rusted roof

as the sun descends
she draws the curtain of night
to unveil the moon
–
angry lovers-
the evening sun
sets the sky aflame

in dusty boxes
glimpses of my prior life
relics of the past
–
full blood moon-
cold bony fingers
pluck at my skin

through all this darkness
the seed of light we planted
finally takes root
–
snow crocus blooms-
the heady smell of
freshly turned earth