Distance – Page 80

a paper lantern
carried aloft on the breeze
lights the evening sky
—
twilight-
illuminated by
a passing lantern

A tendril of smoke
Rises from her cigarette
As she sits alone

Shards of your anger
Litter the ground around you
Keeping me at bay

With trepidation
I plant a kiss on your lips
Hoping it takes root

The loon framed against
A burnished copper sky flies
Towards the setting sun

Pele watches as
Pregnant clouds spill down over
The caldera’s rim

I took for granted
Always waking up next to
Your side of the bed

Darkness enshrouds me
While subtle forces gently
Send me toward the light

Annulled at midnight
This day destined to return
In four years from now

Rolling through the night
The rhythm of the train tracks
Rocking us to sleep