Darkness – Page 28

warm potbellied stove-
the winter air crackles with
electricity
–
dry night air-
your touch
shocking

the wan morning light-
wrapped up in your nakedness
unwilling to move
–
your damp hair-
for now I’m
the big spoon

empty wine bottles-
binging our favorite series
into the wee hours
–
dying embers-
our feet under
the afghan

dark grey winter clouds
heavily laden with snow
loom over this town
–
winter sunrise-
shallow paw prints
in the snow

this fight is over
and yet I find myself still
walking on eggshells
–
fallen trees-
we drive home
in silence

by a forest stream
above the frogs and crickets-
winter stars appear
–
late spring thaw-
fox kits cross
a fallen oak

heavy water jugs-
her small bare feet unwashed and
calloused from the road
–
the rivers edge-
awaiting her turn
in the water

bitter on the tongue-
the hot bilious taste of
someone else’s fear
–
an owl’s cry-
the field mouse
frozen

gentle snow falling
a dog at his owners grave
clawing at the earth
–
winter evening-
your rocking chair
empty

midnight approaches-
carrying the promises
of the coming year
–
again-
the rising sun
greets the new year