Broken

a candle and spoon-
unresponsive hazel eyes
far beyond my help
–
first snow-
yesterday’s news
line his shoes

earbuds on silent-
subtly eavesdropping on
your conversation
–
sudden chills-
mantras I whisper
to myself

mirror finished steel-
chrome and crimson upwell as
I lick the razor
–
melting ice-
warm and salty
on my tongue

downcast hazel eyes-
blistered feet dangle from the
hospital gurney
–
bitter winds-
the horizon
set aglow

worn jungle jacket-
three tours couldn’t prepare him
for life on the street
–
cold sweat-
desert sands
abrade his dreams

hands neatly folded
pinstripe suit and crisp linens
so properly posed
–
early sunday morning-
freshly turned earth
and rough sawn pine

threatening storm clouds-
filling sandbags to ward off
the impending flood
–
a neglected barn-
keeping vigil over
rising waters

a black bitter pill
taken with a glass of bile-
so hard to swallow
–
november morn-
the push is over
now I taste salt.

jewels in the darkness-
a scattering of diamonds
in the shattered glass
–
winter‘s eve-
moonlight dances
on the fallen snow

black leather collar
tight around my neck lying
prostrate at your feet
–
cold stone-
village pews
stand empty