Fire

families asunder-
buzzards circling high above
the southwest desert
–
riding the smoke-
wild horses
in the distance

lying in my bed
beautiful and poisonous
twisted in the sheets
–
african sun-
death lurks
in the tall grass

as venus rises
the sun on the horizon
sets the trees aglow
–
western fires-
too soon dowsed
by a deluge of stars

home with my regrets
I should have asked for a kiss
when I had the chance
–
your upturned lips-
moths flutter
in the porch light

alone on the road
speeding towards oblivion
far away from you
–
velvet panic-
our safe word
forgotten

in the line of fire
standing while the others fall
I am bulletproof
–
rising smoke-
the doe startled
bounds away

pinpoints of starlight
fall from the firmament and
streak across the sky
–
midnight-
lines of fire
split the sky

my head in your hands
your eyes locked on mine pushing
hard against my lips
–
ripe cherries-
the sweet taste
of your seduction

a candle and spoon-
the bare bulb above her head
casts a harsh shadow
–
on the corner-
slowing headlights
catch the rain

a cool cloudy night-
the horizon aglow with
fingers of lighting
–
dry lightning-
fire licks the walks
of the arroyo