Darkness – Page 62

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

a lone egret stands
beneath a spreading chestnut
sheltered from the rain
–
thunder snow-
after images of
white lighting

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

endlessly sifting
the detritus of the day
while sleep eludes me
–
an unkempt sky –
wind driven surf
pounds the shore

a guttering flame
struggling to hold the wick
before going out
–
roiling clouds-
searing winds blow
the grasslands ablaze

out of the darkness
a stream of purest light fills
this damaged vessel
–
rising sap-
new buds sprout
from broken branches

the scars on your soul-
mementos of battles fought
but never quite won
–
broken silence-
the distant crash
of rutting bucks

The sun sinking low
With only a few breaths left
I’m not wasting them
–
midnight-
skinny dipping
without a care

staring at myself
the mirror reflecting my
wasted innocence
–
shoeless-
a ragged doll
on dusty road

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