Distance – Page 65

awash in the surf
my toes buried in the stars
strewn across the sky
–
ebb tide-
crushed shells
and hermit crabs

guttering gas lamps
weakly lighting the platform
where she waits, in vain
–
the scent of jasmine-
a silent stream
turns to ice

sprinting to your door
the rain soaked newspaper held
just over my head
–
staccato whispers-
light rain falling
through the trees

as winter arrives
fog seeps into the valley
under a veiled moon
–
harvest moon-
the arthritic fingers
of barren trees

standing at the bow
salt spray drenching your sundress
the sun in your hair
–
terns on the wing-
flecks of sea foam
floating gently past

down by the lakeside
a skein of migrating geese
glide in for a rest
–
hot pavement-
the roar of flight
fills my ears

picking myself up
from all the times I’ve fallen
back in love with you
–
floating ice-
piling up
downstream

awake at first light
realizing far too late
I’m not who I thought
–
venus rising-
difficult memories
consigned to the fire

tumbling down hill
chatting and laughing aloud
running to the sea
–
freshly frozen-
on the lake shore
crackled glass

staring deep into
an empty sheet of paper
conjuring the muse
–
winter’s canvas-
a palette of pine
and fresh snow