Shock

putting down the phone
the harsh meaning of your words
doesn’t register

distant rain-
unexpected
lightning

Sense

waiting on my touch
your warm skin rising up in
anticipation

rose petals-
the taste of
your breath

Sand

asleep on the beach-
so far away from winter
and your icy touch

caribbean surf-
tracing lazy circles
on the small your back

Taste

embers burning low-
on the rim of my wine glass
crimson lipstick stains

lingering-
ruby lips and
a good bordeaux

Impotence

by her bedroom door
listening to my daughter
cry herself to sleep

leafless boughs-
no resistance to
the howling winds

Tragedy

echoing silence-
bodies strewn haphazardly
on the downtown streets

an absence of birds-
villagers gather fish
in the receding sea

Flags

heads bowed in respect
under an overcast sky
the flag at half mast

rising winds-
halyards ring
the flagpole

Trees

november evening-
skeletal trees charcoal black
in the fading light

graveyard’s edge-
bone fingers
in the mist

Disregard

you can take my heart
and do with it what you will
I’m finished with it

driftwood-
sand dunes
strewn by the wind

Death

cold and sterile rooms-
the emptiness of being
alone here with you

makeshift rafts-
icy waters
devoid of life