Broken

on our bedroom shelf
a collection of sea glass
each piece a moment
–
dogwoods-
petals stolen
by the wind

my better judgement
failing me once again for
momentary bliss
–
late summer-
the prayers
of the mantis

weeping cherry trees-
a wistful gaze through windows
that never open
–
budding branches-
a cockatoo’s
clipped wings

the frayed rope, broken
bubbles breaking the surface
of the swimming hole
–
sweet spring air-
off a chestnut branch
a stout rope swings

the marquee of dreams
in the theatre of my mind
ripe with false promise
–
summer rain-
the blind
desert sands

forced conversation-
a glance at his empty chair
then awkward silence
–
oddly quiet-
the azure sky
free of birds

age pierces my side-
gasping as my youth runs out
between my fingers
–
crying crows-
my chest heaving at
mile marker two

washing off the day
a trail of discarded clothes
strewn out behind her
–
disturbed reverie-
on my journey
an empty snake skin

reaching for you as
just beyond my memory
you slip from my grasp
–
withered leaves-
parched soil runs
between my fingers

freshly turned earth falls
from the back of my shovel
burying the light
–
overcast skies-
a tenuous flame
turns to smoke