Heat

ashes and embers-
my gentle caress lingers
barely on your lips
–
cold glass-
the distance
of your touch

mired in the past
endlessly forced to repeat
the sins of my youth
–
born of fire-
ashes rise
into the night

stone walls and dirt floors-
candle flames cling to their wicks
throwing dark shadows
–
straw bedding-
a tallow candle’s
uneasy light

arid desert sands
old leather cracking in the
unforgiving sun
–
rising smoke-
a candle’s
last remnants

sunset on the lake
threading my wet fingers through
tangerine waters
–
salmon skies-
october morning
the hills ablaze

subtle subversions
deflection, misdirection-
tools of the liar
–
a rocky stream-
mockingbirds
in the wood

flags snap in the wind-
lines of waves begin to break
over silver sands
–
snoring-
warm breath
on my neck

standing divided
sunlight shining on my face
my feet in shadow
–
peeks of sun-
our stately elm
torn asunder

crabs in the shallows-
a hidden sandbar barely
revealed by the tide
–
onshore breeze-
knots of seaweed
drying in the sun

rising from a dream
tasting a memory that’s
almost elusive
–
floating-
beholden to the wind
over a rising sun