Promise

strangers on a bus
the empty seat next to you
very enticing

barefoot in the grass-
your hair falling
across my shoulder

Suppression

deafening silence
our civil ramparts falling
amidst the chaos

spring rain-
roaring floods muted
underwater

Spring

alabaster hills
cherry blossoms harken to
the first blush of spring

snowdrops-
a hint of cherry
on your lips

Perspective

looking at myself
amid the twisted wreckage
of my ruined car

mourning doves-
lost in the white
of the winter sky

Falling

standing before you
silent and overexposed
awaiting judgement

whitecaps-
riding the edge
of an avalanche

Hope

swallowing my doubts
returning day after day
in case you wake up

patchwork sunlight-
I brush the sleep
from your lips

Leap

on the precipice
staring out into the void
and back at myself

barren branches-
a great horned owl
spreads her wings

Carving

left in a doorway
the simple offering of
a small jade Buddha

the slanting sun-
putting to bed the
last work of the day

Betrayal

guttering gas lamps
weakly lighting the platform
where she waits, in vain

the scent of jasmine-
a silent stream
turns to ice

Ciara

a sprit of fire
shining brightly in the night
dowsed before it’s time

all at once-
the dancing flame
now only smoke