Heat

lashed tight to the mast-
tempted by the siren song
of just one more drink
–
steaming pavement-
distant sirens bay
at the full moon

so much left unsaid
I’m not sure that I can take
your icy silence
–
pools of sunshine-
the soft dripping
of melting ice

washing and scrubbing
under this scalding water
still I can’t come clean
–
coal smoke-
a cardinal
on the snow

a pair of otters
dozing in the sun floating
far out in the bay
–
bleached driftwood-
iridescent sand
on the ebb tide

living night to night
afraid of my own shadow
lest I feel the sun
–
crying gulls-
a distant sandbar
bakes in the sun

the scent of your hair
lingering on my pillow
greets me when I wake
–
freshly cut grass-
dandelion seeds
caught in your hair

lazy curls of steam
glowing in the rays of the
slanting winter sun
–
the north wind-
warming my hands
on a hot cup of tea

standing before you
silent and overexposed
awaiting judgement
–
whitecaps-
riding the edge
of an avalanche

becoming August
fevered skin, heat lightning, and
the promise of rain
–
an azure pond-
fish break the surface
amid the evening rain

frost on the windows-
heat from the radiator
rustles the curtains
–
warm boots-
glowing embers
adrift in the smoke