Faith

an icy black rain
the autumn harvest freezes
while still in the field
–
a desert night
cold hard water
feeds the fire

with help, exploring
the haunted attic spaces
deep within my mind
–
dancing alone
the ghosts
of past lovers

our favorite booth
fond memories now haunting
a table for one
–
calm water
the shadow of
a rope swing

standing in judgement
my perceived righteousness trumps
your humanity
–
seething
holding back
the avalanche

dry mouthed and sweaty
frozen in front of a crowd
my practiced speech, gone
–
black water
at the precipice
of hesitationD

wrapped in a blanket
of condolence and comfort
still mired in grief
–
shooting stars
crossing skyward
on golden wings

clinging to the flames
my mortal sins escape me
carried by the wind
–
absolution
casting bread
upon the water

luminous, rising
from below an ebony lake
in her hand, a sword
–
sunlit hillsides
shadows rolling
slowly to the shore

traveling down this
river of asphalt toward
the vanishing point
–
maple leaves
swirling eddies in
a mountain steam

aloft and adrift
floating ever so gently
just out of my grasp
–
innocence
tethered
by a string