Darkness – Page 56

the arc of the sky-
uncountable stars over
an ocean of sand
–
a blanket of stars-
hand on the tiller
slave to the wind

jealous of our affections
in full view of everyone
the moon steals the sun
–
midday-
the spotlight
stolen

i look at myself
and listen to my own lies
praying that they’re true
–
reflections-
outside my window
a magpie

moving through the crowd
the air fetid and stinking
rancid in the heat
–
underground-
pushing in
before the close

out of the shadows
and into the light of day
burning in the sun
–
august sun-
wreaths of flowers
wilting by the roadside

the lust for power
buried in the hearts of men
exhumed far too soon
–
hesitation-
the sharp crack
of thin ice

history lessons-
hard fought wisdom wasted on
those who will not learn
–
melting ice-
unwilling to accept
being this path

low afternoon sun-
the play of shadow and light
against your bare skin
–
under the sheets-
between us
the midnight sun

surrounded by friends
sitting around the campfire
retelling old tales
–
clearing skies-
broken branches
new neighbors

night at terlingua
the glow of the fire beneath
a blanket of stars
–
desert sands-
rising embers
greet the stars