Distance – Page 43

coruscating snow
slithers across the highway
hastened by the wind
–
morning sun-
cherry blossoms
in the snow

a vial of poison-
reminiscences of you
held up to my lips
–
desert skies-
reflections of death
in the watering hole

at once of two worlds-
straddling the razor’s edge
between life and death
–
winter sun-
the hawk’s shadow
grows smaller

alone in the dark
the hunter chases his prey
deep into the night
–
cold moonlight-
he claims his place
among the stars

hot rising embers
intermingle with the stars
as they float away
–
cracking fire-
oak and maple
turning to ash

I wake to nothing
but the impression of you
left in my mattress
–
cold sweat-
twisted in
my bedsheets

I close my eyes and
before sleep overtakes me
I pray for those I’ve killed
–
fireworks-
earplugs in
a darkened room

dark menacing skies
downed trees and power lines-
the storm overhead
–
brooding clouds-
wolves bay
in the distance

blind and deaf old men
sit in darkened boardrooms and
beat the drums of war
–
black water-
death waiting
on the far bank

glowing yellow eyes-
pure malevolence lurking
within the shadows
–
soft underbelly-
the sudden turn
of claws and teeth