Fire

my anger rising
holding back my tongue
while I try to breathe
–
irritation –
ring tails slip
into the shadows

time draws to a close-
I hold his hand, helping him
walk across this bridge
–
a pale horse-
the onus
of these souls

staying up all night
just to fall asleep with you
and the breaking dawn
–
frogs in the trees-
rising woodsmoke
staining the sunset

age pierces my side-
gasping as my youth runs out
between my fingers
–
crying crows-
my chest heaving at
mile marker two

a guttering flame
struggling to hold the wick
before going out
–
roiling clouds-
searing winds blow
the grasslands ablaze

fresh blood on my lips
my kiss, a thief in the night
stealing your warm breath
–
ruby throat, emerald wings-
sliding in and out of
warm honeysuckles

as the sun descends
she draws the curtain of night
to unveil the moon
–
angry lovers-
the evening sun
sets the sky aflame

horror on parade
the fires of war march on while
death wields the baton
–
a murder of crows-
five men lower
their rifles

on a gilded throne
far from the unwashed masses
counting his money
–
gauzy clouds-
spreading gold
on the ocean

falling off my bike
I become one with the earth
for just a moment
–
june twilight-
our vows float away
on paper lanterns